End of the road: Soho's al fresco festival to end in September

It has been one of the few positives to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic, but as the virus recedes it appears so will Soho’s al fresco revival.

Westminster City Council has informed businesses that traffic will be re-introduced to Soho’s streets at the end of September, bringing to an end the weekend and evening pedestrian takeover of the capital’s oldest entertainment district.

Restaurants with existing licences will still be able to use pavements, but roads will be off-limits.
The streets affected by the ending of the temporary road closures include Frith St, Greek St, Dean St, Moor St and the buzzing Old Compton Street.

NamNews Implications:

• 'SOHO needs al fresco to survive' says it all
• City A.M. understands the Council are open to the idea of extending alfresco schemes where residents are keen
• Key that residents act...
• More here

#AlFresco #StreetLifeHospitality

Lidl GB Set To Roll Out Eco Label Trial

The ‘Eco-Score’ system utilises open-source data to independently grade products on their sustainability credentials, such as including production methods, impact on biodiversity, packaging and carbon footprint. 

Products also receive better scores where they are certified to third party schemes such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. The products are then assigned colour codes, ranging from green ‘A’ (low impact) to red ‘E’ (high impact).

The move will initially cover more than 50 Lidl own label products across all 105 of its outlets in Scotland, beginning October 2021. The products included in the trial include teas, coffees, and hot chocolate.

NamNews Implications:

• If shoppers are in favour, and vote with their feet…
• …anticipate a full roll-out.
• As a pointer for all…
• Despite the inevitability of a shelf-price cost?

#EcoLidl #EcoPackaging #LidlFirst

Growing In-Store Visits Lead To Online Grocery Decline

For the four weeks to 14 August 2021, total till sales were up 1.1% year-on-year to £7.7bn, partially helped by the short heatwave in July, which saw sales for the week ending 24 July jump up 6.2%.

NielsenIQ said the growth was driven by 50 million more in-store visits (+12%) during the four-week period.

NamNews Implications:

• Key for suppliers to compare by category.
• And budget accordingly.
• Medium and longer-term, best to try and anticipate how long it will take for online to grow from 13% to 50% of sales.
• (again finetuned by category and channel, where possible)
• Good NielsenIQ advice to factor in consumer uncertainty….
• As the market reopens…

#OnlineGrocery #RoutesToConsumer #nielsen

Charlie Watts - R.I.P

New HFSS Rules To Make More Space Available In Supermarkets

The new regulations concerning in-store promotion and off-shelf display of high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products, which will come into force in 2022, are expected to result in 26% of shelf-space in UK supermarkets being “up for grabs”, according to new research from IRI.

IRI noted that HFSS categories – including confectionery, yoghurts and fruit juices – currently make up 38% of actual store space, but this is forecast to drop to just 12% when the new restrictions are introduced.

NamNews Implications:

• ‘HFSS currently make up 38% of actual store space, but this is forecast to drop to just 12%’
• (note also chilled category impact)
• Best keep in mind that any category/brand hoping to optimise space released…
• …will need to at least match HFSS financial performance, sales and gross profits, vacating the space.

#HFSSRetailSpace

Private Equity Firm Now Eyeing Sainsbury’s?

According to The Sunday Times, US group Apollo is said to be looking at options regarding the supermarket group. 

The paper noted that this interest is exploratory, while a Bloomberg report cited unnamed sources to add that Apollo has not hired any advisers yet.

NamNews Implications:

• A bid of £7bn+ should get the ball rolling...
• Re-entering a period of distraction for Sainsbury’s management.
• Supply and Retail…
• Meanwhile, a short- & medium-term focus on financial performance.
• …by reflex, if not by design.

#MultsTakeover #OtherBiddingWar

Post-lockdown pricing options, from the NamNews Team!

#Pricing #PostLockdown

Russian Discounter Opens First UK Store With Prices Cheaper Than Aldi

The interior of the store in Preston is minimalist with painted breeze-block walls and no branding (see video). Journalists visiting the site described it as a “drab” retail space that makes a branch of Aldi look almost glamorous.

To keep costs down, goods are sold from pallets with limited in-store services and only a handful of staff. The product range is focused on longer life ambient and frozen items, alongside household items. Everyday staples like milk, eggs and bread aren’t available, and there is no fresh fruit or veg.
There is an area with a selection of limited deals on non-food products, similar to the middle aisle in Aldi and Lidl stores.

Suppliers must deliver direct to stores and are expected to offer stock on a sale or return basis. MERE’s Chief Procurement OfficerPavels Antonovs, said: “We are a hard discounter. When we see that a manufacturer or a distributor has an offer that fits our business criteria, we will have it in store.”

NamNews Implications:

• A gauntlet thrown down!
• There has to be an Aldi/Lidl reaction…
• The real issue is how the nearby mults will react.
• Getting listings should be straightforward for suppliers.
• (although direct store delivery, SOR may cause some to pause…)
• But a MERE startup in the UK cannot be ignored… 

#HardDiscounter #Discounter