Weekly news summary 17th August 2015
HEADLINES THIS WEEK:
– TODAY’S GROUP EXPANDS OWN-LABEL RANGE
– HMRC ISSUES REGISTRATION REQUEST
– PALMER AND HARVEY LAUNCHES RETAILER OF THE MONTH SCHEME
TODAY’S GROUP UNVEILS NEW ADDITIONS TO SELECT OWN LABEL
Today’s Group has released own-label nappies and fragrance-free wipes to its Today’s Select brand under the new sub-category Select for Baby, which is dedicated entirely to baby care products.
Launching on 24 August, the own-label nappies are available in four different sizes – mini (3 x 16 per case), midi (3 x 14 per case), maxi (3 x 14 per case) and junior (3 x 12 per case) – and are price-marked at £3.29. Fragrance-free wipes and new-look fragranced wipes are also obtainable in £1 PMPs.
Hilary Nithsdale, own-label trading controller for Today’s, commented: “Nappies and baby wipes are among the biggest impulse buys in convenience stores. About four in 10 parents buy own-label nappies.”
“Wipes are now used for more than just nappy changes – consumers are buying them for on-the-go clean-ups and makeup removal.”
Today’s members will be able to purchase the nappies and wipes at a trial price of £2.99 and 89p respectively, from 14 September until 4 October.
The launch also follows the addition of Select baked beans and sausages (390g) to its hot meats range.
Made with haricot beans and cooked cocktail pork sausages, the can displays a 99p price flash and is available in outers of six.
Nithsdale added: “Own brand is quickly evolving with one in ten customers in retail now choosing own-label products.
“With an average POR of 30%, the new hot meat lines are designed to offer retailers a high-quality, own-label alternative while helping them to sustain healthy margins.
“New products are a great way for retailers to keep their offer fresh, but it’s critical to remove slower-moving lines to make space.”
Tel: Today’s Group (01302) 249909
WHOLESALERS URGED TO PREPARE NOW FOR AWRS
Laura Pollard, HM Revenue & Customs deputy director for alcohol and tobacco, has urged cash & carries/wholesalers to start preparing to apply for the new Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS).
The aim is to help tackle the £1.3 billion a year lost to alcohol duty fraud by forcing those trading illegally out of business.
Cash & carries/wholesalers must apply for approval with HMRC between 1 October and 31 December, but should be getting ready now, said Pollard, “to make sure they have what they need to make it quick and easy”.
She added: “Hard-working businesses that follow the rules will no longer lose out to criminals dealing in illicit alcohol. Applying is not difficult. Once they have done so, we will assess their application and let them know if they are approved.”
Under the scheme, retailers will have to buy from approved C&C/wholesalers from April 2017. Details of these outlets will be published online. Those not considered ‘fit and proper’ will not be allowed to trade in alcohol.
Information required by HMRC includes types of customers served, products sold, premises used and the main suppliers.
Tel: HMRC (0300) 200 3701
PALMER AND HARVEY ANNOUNCES FIRST RETAILER OF THE MONTH
The Corner Stores in Mildenhall, Suffolk, has been named as Palmer and Harvey’s (P&H’s) first Retailer of the Month.
The year-long initiative, which was launched as part of the delivered wholesaler’s 90th anniversary, is designed to promote independent retailers who have embraced innovative techniques in store, and who routinely lead the way with industry best practice.
As part of the prize for winning Retailer of the Month, Craig and Colin Warren, of The Corner Stores, will receive 90 outers from P&H’s Independent own-brand range.
Martyn Ward, managing director of P&H, said: “The Corner Stores plays an integral part in the local Mildenhall community, providing a reliable and innovative place to shop, as well as sponsoring the local football team and local charities.
“The store has seen exceptional growth since Craig and Colin took over the business in 2008 and has now positioned itself at the forefront of independent channel.
“We want retailers to know they are fully supported by Palmer and Harvey, and our new Retailer of the Month initiative has been designed to recognise and reward the heroes of local communities, and pioneers in retailing,”
Tel: Palmer and Harvey (01273) 222100
