Weekly news summary 30th April 2014

HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

– PUB CLUB UNDER CONSIDERATION
– SUCCESS FROM THE GOLD RUSH
– ‘A GIFT FOR CRIMINAL GANGS’

PUB CLUB UNDER CONSIDERATION

Today’s Group is “at a very early stage” of investigating whether it would be viable to introduce a retail club style approach for independent pub owners/landlords.

The idea follows the announcement that the group has won the support of virtually the whole of the membership of the former National Drinks Distributors (NDD).

Managing director of Today’s Bill Laird (pictured) told Cash & Carry Management: “In short, the plan would involve creating a set of regular three or four-weekly promotions from across a range of beer, spirits, wine, food and soft drinks brands, plus associated products, into themed or seasonal packages complete with PoS material, marketing and other types of support.

“These would be negotiated and developed centrally by Today’s and then actioned between our on-trade wholesalers and their customers – pub owners.”

The benefits would include: regular promotions, which would build consumer loyalty; major branded support; professional marketing; reduced stock investments; and consistent, but varied, promotional activities in the bar throughout the year.

Laird added that currently the majority of pub landlords have to create and implement their own activities or depend upon sales teams for individual brands walking in and persuading them to run a particular one-off activity for a given period.

Tel: Today’s Group (0844) 247 0700.

SUCCESS FROM THE GOLD RUSH

Dhamecha’s Gold Rush trade days, which ran in all seven branches between mid-March and mid-April, resulted in a “fantastic turnout of customers at all our C&Cs, with very pleasing sales,” said chief executive Pradip Dhamecha (pictured).

He added that the company received good support from its key suppliers, all of whom attended all the events. “They enhanced the trade deals on each day to hit their targeted volumes. Today’s Group was also very supportive and executives were in attendance at all our depots.

“They also organised a lot of giveaways with own-label prizes, the top award being £100 worth of stock.” Further trade days are planned for the rest of the year, said Dhamecha.

“Our trading team work hard to put together excellent promotions and our general managers and their teams execute these to achieve the desired success.”

Tel: Dhamecha Cash & Carry 020-8903 8181.

‘A GIFT FOR CRIMINAL GANGS’

JTI UK managing director Daniel Torras has criticised regulations in the revised Tobacco Products Directive, saying “they restrict the way products are made, packaged and sold and will have a huge impact on thousands of legitimate businesses across the UK”.

He is particularly scathing about the EU’s decision to ban 10s, menthol and pouches of tobacco under 30g.

“This is a gift for criminal gangs as more smokers who find that their preferred pack is no longer available will be tempted to buy illegal tobacco.

Meanwhile, the UK government’s exchequer will have to plug the financial gap left and thousands of legitimate businesses will suffer.”

In the UK, Torras claims, over 40% of current tobacco sales will be banned by the new directive, “creating a massive disruption to the market”.

He adds that the UK government should also “reconsider its position to proceed with plain packaging as the TPD directive already prescribes excessive graphic health warnings covering 65% of the front and back surface of the pack positioned at the top edge and 50% of the sides”.

Tel: JTI UK (0800) 163503.