DCS Agrees Branded Supply Deal With M&S Food Following Its Move Away From Booker

Weeks after ditching Booker in favour of A.F. Blakemore for the supply of branded chilled and ambient food products, M&S Food has switched to DCS Group for branded household, toiletries, and health & beauty lines.

According to trade publication The Grocer, the FMCG distributor has replaced the Tesco-owned wholesaler in supplying over 90 SKUs to M&S, ranging from Pampers to Colgate and Calpol, and making up most of the retailer’s branded non-food offering.

Both moves ended a supply relationship that had existed between M&S and Booker for more than 15 years.

DCS had already been working with M&S in trials of new branded lines since October last year.

A DCS spokesperson is quoted by The Grocer as saying: “Leveraging its extensive category expertise and long-standing relationships with leading FMCG brands such as P&G, Unilever and Colgate, DCS Group is well positioned to enhance M&S’s branded offer and deliver increased value and availability to customers.”

DCS Chief Executive Michael Lorimer added: “We are delighted to be partnering with M&S, a business that shares our focus on quality, innovation and outstanding customer service.

“Our strength lies in our category knowledge, deep brand partnerships and supply chain expertise. By combining these with M&S’s customer-first approach, we look forward to creating real value for M&S shoppers while ensuring seamless, reliable distribution. This is a major milestone as we continue our growth trajectory.”

NamNews Implications:

• Some suppliers and rival retailers may take time to wonder why M&S and Booker terminated a 15-year relationship…
• Meanwhile, M&S will simply focus on optimising its new partnerships in order to benefit its customers.
• Resulting in increased sales per trip and repeat sales.
• Watch this space…

Asda To Open Nine New Express Stores This Week

Asda is ramping up the rollout of new Express convenience stores this week by opening nine sites.

The group recently announced that it was resuming its Express store opening programme after a pause to focus on converting the 469 sites it acquired from the Co-op and EG Group. Up to 20 of the convenience stores are due to open in the final three months of 2025.

Asda noted that the new stores reflect its ambition to strengthen its presence in high-footfall urban areas, residential neighbourhoods, and transport hubs – locations where it has traditionally had a limited presence.

Seven of the openings this week are in London, including Tower Bridge, Greenwich, Limehouse Station, Harringay, Deptford, Whetstone, and the former Arsenal FC club shop at Finsbury Park station. Outside the capital, two new stores will launch this week in Botley (Southampton) and Stoke.

Each Express convenience store offers over 3,000 branded and own-label products, with a range of fresh, ambient and chilled groceries, alongside beers, wines and spirits. Additional services include Costa Coffee machines, ATMs, Amazon collections and returns, and on-demand delivery options through the likes of Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo.

All new stores will also be equipped with electronic shelf labels (ESLs) as part of a wider rollout announced by the retailer earlier this month.

“We’re thrilled to be opening nine new Express stores this week, including seven in London – an area where we have traditionally had less of a presence in convenience,” said Joseph Sutton, VP of Asda Express, foodservice and fuel.

“These openings are a key part of our strategy to bring Asda’s unbeatable value to more urban areas and residential communities across the UK. We know customers have looked forward to these stores opening for a long time, and we’re delighted to welcome them in and offer outstanding value across their favourite products.”

Earlier this month, Asda opened a new Express store in Castleford, kicking off the latest phase of its rollout programme. The group is targeting to open a further 10 Express stores before the end of the year, with a “strong” pipeline of further openings planned for 2026.

NamNews Implications:

• Asda continue to race against the clock.
• Key issue is the extent to which suppliers will attempt to keep pace…

Lidl Integrates Payment Feature Into Rewards App

Lidl GB has taken another step in transforming its in-store checkout experience with the launch of Lidl Pay, a payment feature integrated directly into the discounter’s increasingly popular rewards app.

The retailer noted that the move comes as Lidl Plus continues to gain traction among shoppers, with the number of monthly active users growing by over a third in the past year. The surge is said to reflect increasing customer engagement with the app’s personalised offers and digital features.

The introduction of Lidl Pay will allow users to activate their Lidl Plus coupons and offers, and complete their purchases either at staffed tills or self-checkout terminals, all through the app.

“The integration of payment functionality into the Lidl Plus app represents a step forward in our digital evolution,” said Shyam Unarket, customer relations director at Lidl GB.

“We are committed to investing in technologies that simplify the customer journey and offer greater flexibility in how people shop with us. Whether customers prefer using traditional tills or self-checkouts, we want to ensure that every shopper can choose the experience that best suits them.”

The introduction of Lidl Pay comes amid the rollout of self-checkouts in its stores and the recent introduction of a Click, Reserve & Collect service via the app. The discounter is also currently testing a scan & shop feature in four stores, ahead of an expected rollout next year.

NamNews Implications:

• Lidl’s payment feature will be watched by rivals…
•  …both in terms of effect on market share growth…
• …and also as an incentive for incorporating within their offerings.
• Ditto the scan & shop feature.
• Meanwhile, Aldi?

Majestic Bolsters Buying Team

Wine retailer Majestic has strengthened its buying team with several new hires.

Phil Edwards has joined the company to oversee the categories of Spain, Rose, Champagne, Sparkling and Fine Wine. He has more than 30 years of experience in the drinks industry, including spells at Direct Wines, Booker, Safeway, Threshers, Mitchells and Butlers and Drinks 21. Edwards joins Majestic from wines & spirits supplier General Wine & Liquor Company, where he served as commercial manager.

Karen O’Donoghue has made the switch from the Irish department store chain, Dunnes, to take responsibility for all French red and white wines at Majestic. She holds a WSET Diploma and is two years into her Master of Wine studies.

The trio of new senior buyers is completed by Catherine Forbes-Taylor, who joins the retailer from organic baby food specialist, Ella’s Kitchen. She has 15 years of experience in buying roles, including stints with John Lewis, Whittard of Chelsea and furniture brand Laura James. She will oversee the buying of wines from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Chile.

Meanwhile, James Cox, who previously worked in Majestic stores between 2011 and 2015, has returned to the business as a junior buyer.
The new additions join existing team members Jane Masters MW, Zara Cassidy, Andy Bray and Rebecca Ohayon Gergely. All will report to Majestic’s head of buying, Matt Fowkes.

Majestic’s Managing Director, Elizabeth Newman, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Phil, Karen, Catherine and James to Majestic. They will bring different ideas, perspectives and expertise to the buying team, and I’m really looking forward to working with all of them as we develop our award-winning proposition across wines, beers, spirits and our fast-growing snacks and gifting categories.

“We’re really proud of our track record of sourcing exciting, innovative and exclusive wines from around the world, and our new buyers are perfectly placed to help us to continue delivering on that promise for our customers.”

NamNews Implications:

• An undoubted strengthening of the buying team
• Reflecting experience in traditional alcohol....
• But curiously no mention of Low-No..?

Tesco And Lidl Continue To Make Biggest Market Share Gains As Squeezed Consumers Hunt For Deals

Latest figures from Worldpanel by Numerator show take-home sales at UK supermarkets grew by 4.1% over the four weeks to 5th October, driven by grocery price inflation, which rose from 4.9% to 5.2%.

Spending on offers hit its highest level since April at 29.4% as consumers sought out deals to ease the burden on their wallets. This trend is expected to continue in the run-up to the festive season as retailers ramp up their promotions during the key trading period.

Worldpanel noted that online grocery sales grew by 12.0% compared with the same four weeks last year, making up 12.7% of the market – the highest share since March 2022. Over one in five households did their grocery shopping online at some point in September, marking a return to the popularity seen in the latter stages of the Covid pandemic.

Ocado remained the UK’s fastest-growing grocer over the 12 weeks to 5 October, with sales rising by 13.6% on the same period a year ago. The online retailer now holds a 2.0% share, matching its previous record high.

Lidl also saw double-digit sales growth (10.8%), taking the discounter’s market share to 8.2% – an increase of 0.5 percentage points, edging it closer to overtaking Morrisons.

Tesco again made the biggest share gain, climbing by 0.7 percentage points to take 28.3% of the market. Spending through its tills increased by 6.9%. Sainsbury’s saw its sales rise by 5.2%, lifting its market share to 15.3%.

Aldi maintained its 10.6% portion of the market after seeing spending in its stores rise by 4.3%. Waitrose’s share also remained stable at 4.4% after increasing sales by 3.7%, while sales of groceries at its key rival M&S were 7.7% higher.

Asda continued to lose share after recording a 3.2% drop in sales, while Morrisons recorded growth of just 1.7%.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, highlighted that households are now juggling a lot of different things when choosing what and where to buy their groceries. Cost remains towards the top of the list as price rises accelerate, but the research group’s data reveals how consumers and retailers are also balancing concerns around health and sustainability.

At the beginning of this month, new regulations came into force in England restricting multibuy deals on products high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS). McKevitt commented: “Retailers have had this HFSS legislation in their sights for several years, and they’ve been adapting, with consumer habits already shifting as a result. Three years ago, 28% of promotional spending on crisps was through multibuy offers, but it’s come right down since then to just 8% in the month to 5th October. There’s a similar story in the cereal aisle with promotional spending on multibuy deals down from 18% to 5% during the same time period.”

On the subject of sustainability, new Worldpanel research shows that 50% of British shoppers believe that environmental issues are a critical threat to humanity, with the potential to shape the way they shop. McKevitt said: “People are worried about environmental issues, but the data uncovers a growing sense of pessimism among consumers about their ability to really make a difference. There’s an opportunity for brands and retailers who can make it easier to make sustainable choices, and people seem to be willing to adapt. One in two say they would accept plainer packaging for a product that they trusted was better for the environment, while 54% would even be willing to bring their own packaging.

“However, value for money is still a big consideration, and just 9% of people are happy to pay more for items that are better for the planet. Only 3% say they would compromise on quality. Interestingly, concerns about microplastics are on the rise, with over 40% of British households saying they are increasingly worried about the impact on their health.”

NamNews Implications:

• Leading grocers growing share at the expense of Asda, Morrisons and Co-op…
• …has to be of constant concern to the three, despite constant driving for sales.
• Meanwhile, price inflation continues to grow value sales at the expense of volume.
• As consumers continue to shop around for deals (‘permanent’ changes in behaviour?)…
• …and (premium?) own label benefiting from diminishing brand premia.
• Going forward, the issue is to what extent fundamental changes in behaviour…
• …become ‘permanent’?

Asda Outlines Plans For Range Reset

Asda told suppliers at its annual conference in Leeds this week that it was launching a reset of its product offer “bay by bay” as it looks to accelerate its turnaround plan, which its Chairman, Allan Leighton, said was “30% complete”.

According to trade publication The Grocer, the struggling supermarket’s recently returned Chief Commercial Officer, Darren Blackhurst, announced an overhaul of its commercial strategy at the event, with suppliers being told the reset would be based around SKU duplication removal, rather than a range cull, with a focus on core lines, more space and better buying.

In addition to a drive for greater simplicity, Blackhurst is reported to have said that Asda’s buyers would seek to reset the relationship with suppliers by focusing less on its troubles and spending more time building partnerships.

Meanwhile, Leighton reiterated Asda’s drive to become up to 10% cheaper than its traditional supermarket rivals, arguing that growth in the discount channel was limited for brands, given that Aldi and Lidl were continuing to prioritise own label.

Speaking to The Grocer after the event, Blackhurst said: “As we shared at the event, a strong Asda benefits everyone, and there is a big opportunity to build the right customer proposition together and unlock profitable growth.

“We’re focused on simplifying how we work by reducing duplication, making better use of space to sell more volume and improving choice by strengthening our own-brand and premium ranges. As we start to buy better and build better relationships with key suppliers, we can maximise efficiencies, reinvest in price, drive volume, and ultimately grow market share.

“We want to work with our suppliers constructively and in a collaborative way to improve the offer for the 20m customers who shop with us every week. Our buying teams are looking forward to getting out to meet our suppliers in the coming weeks to build on their plans.”

NamNews Implications:

• SKU duplication removal, rather than a range cull…
• …a focus on core lines, more space and better buying…
• …more time building partnerships…
• …to build the right customer proposition together.
• And all against the clock.
• Over to you…

Aldi Rolling Out Reduction Zones

Aldi is rolling out dedicated reduction zones across its stores in the UK to make it “even easier for shoppers to find fresh food bargains”.

The marked areas will feature discounted bread, fresh produce, and other perishable items nearing their use-by date. Items are discounted throughout the day, allowing shoppers to save on products that might otherwise go unsold.

The discounter stated the move was part of its commitment to making food more affordable, while tackling waste in its operations.
“Our customers already know they can rely on us to provide unbeatable value, but our new reduction areas will make it even easier to pick up a last-minute bargain,” said Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK.

“By creating dedicated reduction zones in store, we’re helping point shoppers towards quality food at cheaper prices, all while cutting down on food waste.”

NamNews Implications:

• Using food waste prevention is a clever way of discounting within a ‘best price’ model.
• i.e. Aldi can thus maintain the integrity of their main offering:
• - they launch at their best value price, not possible to go lower...
• …whilst doing good for customers in need.

Asda Rolling Out ESLs Across Express Stores

Asda has announced that it is rolling out electronic shelf labels (ESLs) across its largest and busiest Express convenience stores as part of its efforts to simplify operations.

Working with VusionGroup and its partners, Renovotec and HL Display, the rollout to 250 sites follows a three-month trial at Asda’s Oxford Road Store in Manchester. The trial found that the technology freed up staff time, allowing them to focus on customer service, managing deliveries, and replenishing shelves.

Approximately 2,800 separate electronic shelf labels (over 700,000 across the entire rollout) will be added to each store, meaning Asda’s staff will no longer need to manually update pricing in-store. The technology can also display allergen information at shelf edge through QR codes, in addition to displaying the cost, weight and unit price of products.

Asda recently announced that it was resuming its Express store opening programme after a pause to focus on converting the 469 sites it acquired from the Co-op and EG Group. Up to 20 of the convenience stores are due to open before the end of the year, starting with Castleford on Wednesday of next week. Each new Express site will feature the ESLs from day one.

“We’re continuing to invest in enhancing our stores, and the launch of cutting-edge technology across our Express estate is proof of this,” said Joseph Sutton, VP Asda Express, foodservice and fuel.

“By streamlining our in-store operations, we can free up our colleagues to focus on what they do best – serving our customers. With the first of 20 new Express sites set to open next, we’re excited to build on this momentum and to bring Asda’s trusted value to even more communities across the UK.”

Roy Horgan, CEO UK & Ireland – VusionGroup, added: “We are proud to be extending our partnership with Asda as they accelerate their digital transformation. This next phase is a testament to both Asda’s digital ambition and the strength of VusionGroup’s market-leading technologies. By combining ESLs with IoT innovation and data-rich insight, we are helping to transform the in-store experience for Asda customers and colleagues.”

NamNews Implications:

• Key benefits in practice:
• Free up existing staff to improve in-store service level (rather than cut staff numbers per store)
• Add unit pricing (hopefully enabling true like-with-like price comparison)
• Error reduction in on-shelf pricing (either via delays in adding updates or genuine errors)
• Given those conditions, the ESL rollout should make a difference…