The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has raised concerns over store closures if local shops do not receive long-term financial support amid rising energy costs. While convenience stores will receive financial aid for six months under the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the ACS has urged the government to extend the scheme until “at least April 2024” to reduce the likelihood of store closures.  The…

As the energy crisis persists, food and drink supply chain representatives have called on MPs to support the sector following news of potential blackouts to preserve gas supplies in winter.  Industry members were given the opportunity to address MPs during the Food and Drink Supply Chain APPG’s inquiry session on the impact of the energy crisis.  Gavin Partington, director general of the…

Christmas is when most retailers make more money, so it’s a high stakes game that deserves some proper time to plan a marketing campaign. Here are some pointers to get you started. 1. Always follow your customers. Your most loyal are worth more than you know. Marketing these days is more about data than ever, so not knowing what they buy and why…

Following a 20-year stint at Treasury Wine Estates, Michelle Brampton stepped into the chief executive role at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust earlier this year. She tells Lucy Britner what the trade can expect from her tenure “Communication is absolutely the bedrock. An organisation is just a group of people who communicate together to make things happen, isn’t it?” Michelle Brampton is talking…

Five drinks brands have come under fire for breaching the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) CAP code. Two of the five brands, Ramsay’s Gin by Eden Mill Distillery and Tennent’s Lager, were penalised for making nutrition claims that are “not permitted for alcoholic drinks”.  Tennent’s described its product as “Scotland’s lowest calorie lager”, while Ramsay’s Gin claimed one of its ingredients – honeyberries – contained…

The convenience sector is forecast to see a rise in sales despite economic uncertainty, according to the Local Shop Report 2022.  Spearheaded by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the report found that the convenience sector generated around £45 billion in sales during the past year, with sales estimated to grow to around £48 billion by 2025. As the cost of living crisis…

As the 2022 grape harvest gets into full swing, producers have signalled earlier picking, following the summer heatwave. Here, Drinks Retailing rounds up the latest harvest news:  Harvests in the Provence wine region (AOC Côtes de Provence, AOC Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence) began 10 to 15 days earlier than the 2021 harvests. Despite the heatwave, which brought about water…