However, the total market across all channels has grown by +31% over the same period and total grocery retail outlets have grown at an even more impressive +51%. This has been driven by a particularly strong performance for both discounters (+81%) and multiple convenience stores (+63%). This suggests that independent convenience stores are not getting their ‘fair share’ of food-to-go growth.

Tom Fender, Development Director at TWC, said: “Most convenience stores did extremely well over the pandemic, growing sales and attracting new customers. It was understandable that many retailers opted to scale back their food-to-go offer at that time as consumers weren’t commuting or getting out and about very much, rather they were preparing most of their meals at home. But what we have seen in the last few months is the rapid return of consumers eating food-to-go again.

“We all know the discounters have been attracting new shoppers as well as benefiting from returning lapsed shoppers. This always happens during economically challenging times. But discounters are not renowned for selling food-to-go items, so this should be a slight warning to local convenience operators that discounters are now competing on this mission too.

“Local independents should always have the advantage of knowing what’s happening in their local area and adapting their offer accordingly. Conversely, discounters are large corporations and therefore cannot flex their range to the same extent.”

He continues: “Obviously the issue of prices, price image and inflation are creating a perfect storm right now, so independent retailers will need to think about marketing within their communities. Most shoppers travel less than half a mile to get to their c-store, so store catchments are tight, and this gives retailers permission to talk about value-for-money by shopping locally.”

“This is the ideal time for independent retailers to review their food-to-go range in line with what’s happening in the market to maximise this opportunity. This will include in-store fixtures and ranging as well as external comms. Now is the time to grab food-to-go sales. Whilst many consumers are tightening their belts, food to go is more insulated due to its lower ticket nature vs. other eating out occasions – and it also offers respectable margins for retailers.”

MealTrak is the nation’s leading continuous tracking programme for food-to-go and out-of-home consumption, surveying 36,500 consumers a year. TWC are data and digital experts, working across the wholesale, foodservice and convenience retail channels with data led solutions.

The post Independent convenience stores not getting their share of food-to-go growth – TWC first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The publisher has also decided that from September the percentage terms that retailers receive for handling the publication on weekdays and Saturdays will be reduced to 20 per cent. The margin for handling the Sunday edition will be maintained at 20.5 per cent.

Responding to the news, the Fed National President Narinder Randhawa said: “While the cover price increases are welcome, we are disappointed that, once again, the Telegraph is hitting retailers in their pockets with yet another cut to our percentage trading terms.

“Despite repeated conversations with the Telegraph, we are equally dismayed that any ‘improvements’ to our margin payments are being delayed for six months.”

Mr Randhawa added: “Only last month, and at the Fed’s newspaper summit in London, we listened as the Telegraph’s CEO Chris Taylor insisted that the printed word had a bright future as he updated retailers, news wholesaler and his publishing colleagues on its subscription strategy and the importance of our support in achieving that.

“This latest decision to accompany these price increases with a cut in our terms and deferred payment is a bitter blow – especially as they come at a time when our costs are rocketing, and we have no way of passing these increased costs on to our customers.

“This annual cycle of terms cuts and deferred payment needs to stop.  It leaves a sour taste in retailers’ mouths.  We would politely ask Telegraph Media Group to reconsider on both the terms and deferred payment fronts.”

Mr Randhawa continued: “Decisions like these leave me to question my commitment to the news category.  It is time that publishers like TMG understand the precarious financial position that moves such as these make to our members.  It is also time that the Telegraph looks to other categories in our members’ stores that work with us in true partnership.”

The Fed head of news Brian Murphy said: “While many members do support the Telegraph’s subscriptions first strategy, they still have a number of customers who prefer to purchase their newspaper in the more traditional manner.  It is unfair to expect these retailers to wait six months to be paid for this.”

From Monday, in England, Scotland and Wales the weekday cover price will rise by 30p to £2.80; the Saturday newspaper is going up 50p to £3.50p and the cost of the Sunday Telegraph will be £3.00.

In Northern Ireland, weekday editions will cost £3, the Saturday edition is rising a whopping 80p to £3.80 and the Sunday Telegraph will cost £2.70.

In the Republic of Ireland, the cost of both weekday and Saturday editions are rising but the cover price of the Sunday Telegraph will remain at €3.  The new Monday to Friday price will be €3.20, while the Saturday edition is increasing to €4.

The post Dismay from retailers as Telegraph raises cover price, cuts retail terms and defers payment first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said “This decision is not unexpected but will come at a heavy cost to the lockdown, cal economy. There will be many independent retailers who will be unable to survive this, particularly if it lasts until Easter”

Provide further support

“The Executive needs to step up and provide further support to independent retailers if they are to stand any chance of survival. Retail NI calls upon the Executive to include essential independent food retailers, who have lost trade and footfall, in the Financial Support Scheme. Many of these businesses are trying to trade in town and city centres which are virtual ghost towns, with most of their neighbouring businesses closed”

“It is blatantly unfair that local independent retailers who sell books, toys, clothes and homeware are still not being allowed to operate a click and collect service while large supermarkets can remain open, sell these products and continue to make sizeable profits.”

Lifeline needed

“If the Executive is serious about supporting small businesses then it needs to give these local independent retailers a lifeline by immediately permitting them to operate a click and collect service on a strict appointment only basis, which would be subject to strict inspection.”

The post Extended lockdown will come at a heavy cost to local independents, says Retail NI first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The centres of Northern Ireland’s small market towns are being adversely damaged – with a long, hard recovery ahead.

They may never recover – that is the cold, harsh reality.

Thousands of jobs will be shed – that is the cold, harsh reality.

Every job loss has an impact on a local community and its local economy – that is the cold, harsh reality.

Cold, harsh reality

Northern Ireland’s small independent retailers are steeped in their second complete lock down this year – while large stores and multiples that sell ‘household items’ are able to continue trading normally.

Why?

Some of Northern Ireland’s small town centres may never recover their once vibrant, bustling trade – it’s not just sad, it’s a disgrace.

Out of town shopping centres, with their various discounters such as B&M, Poundland; B&Q, Home, large furniture shops such as IKEA and others – are all operating normally – because they sell ‘household items‘ – it doesn’t seem fair in this precious December trading period, the so-called ‘golden quarter’.

Social distancing isn’t always being managed fully in these out of town shopping centres. While measures are put in place to stem spread of the virus, it doesn’t always appear to be effectively administered or respected by some shoppers.

Struggle to make ends meet

It’s not an even playing field at the best of times.

Independent retailers struggle to make ends meet, manage a multitude of overheads and somehow try to make a meagre profit margin. Yet in the midst of the so-called ‘golden quarter’ – the run up to Christmas – small independent retailers are bemused and bewildered since lock down last Friday to see major multiples and large stores continue to trade normally – under the proviso that they sell ‘household items.’

Define ‘household items’?

In a week that sees Arcadia go in to administration, including its household-name high street brands such as Top Shop and Wallis; when Bon Marche also sheds 1,500 staff, Debenhams set to close across Northern Ireland; and Caffe Nero is facing a CVA (Company Voluntary Administration) – town centres are taking a battering, yet, in the midst of it all, the voiceless independent retailers are glossed over as they too, struggle to survive and have their concerns fully heard.

While shops selling essentials must stay open, and have a crucial remit in serving and supporting all local communities, NR asks why – in this second short lock down for all other independent retailers, why – are the larger stores enabled to stay open, under the loophole that they sell ‘household items’?

Covid Champions – Symbol groups and small essential retailers

In Northern Ireland, in 2020, local retailers, convenience stores, forecourts, symbol groups, butchers, pharmacies, greengrocers and others, have been the stalwarts, the absolute champions of the fight against Covid – and have done everything in their power to ensure that customers abide by the rules. It’s hard for them to have to stand by and see their neighbours – small independent retailers, often family owned book shops, boutiques, cafes, to list a few – all have to close completely – while the big out-of-towners gt to trade freely – selling all the items that the independents are not allowed to.

Meanwhile, in early December 2020, Northern Ireland’s daily rates of infections and deaths continue, and the small independent retail trader continues to carry the brunt.

Many of these retail outlets will flounder. Many will close. Many will never open their doors again. That’s the cold, harsh reality.

NR asks – who is speaking up for  these retailers? They seem to have lost their voice.

The post Speak Up for Independent Retailers – Northern Ireland’s small, local independent retailers ‘disadvantaged’ during lock down first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.