A look at what’s going on across the convenience channel and associated businesses and organisations
Allwyn praises National Lottery retailers
NATIONAL lottery operator Allwyn has thanked retailers for achieving record-breaking results in its 2024 mystery shopper age checks.
Final results of 8,200 store visits by people who were over 18 but look younger (to avoid the law being inadvertently broken) showed 92.3% of National Lottery retailers correctly asked for ID as proof of age on their first visit.
As part of its Operation Guardian mystery shopper and retail training programme, Allwyn also carried out 4,000 ‘excessive play’ visits to ensure stores could provide support information to players requesting help.
And a third check involving 4,000 visits assessed store staff’s knowledge around preventing underage play and minimising excessive play. The results showed 85% answered five or all six questions correctly.
Allwyn retail sales chief Alison Acquaye-Acford said: “A huge congratulations to our 40,000-plus retailers for their commitment to selling the National Lottery responsibly and raising their standards to the highest level seen.”
•Working with payments provider Bottomline, Allwyn has created a quick, easy, online process that allows National Lottery retail players to have prizes between £500.01 and £50,000 paid directly to their bank accounts for the first time.
FDF Scotland revamps leadership team
JAMES Macsween, managing director of haggis manufacturer Macsween of Edinburgh, has been appointed as the new chair for Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland.
He succeeds Jim Fox, head of public affairs GB at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, who has retired. Katherine Durie, European legal counsel at Baxters Food Group, steps into the role of vice-chair.
Macsween said: “I am honoured to lead FDF Scotland at such a pivotal time for our industry. My focus will be on driving sustainable growth and ensuring that our members have the support they need to thrive.
“Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient sector that continues to deliver high-quality food and drink that people enjoy at home and across the world.”
FDF Scotland chief executive David Thomson added: “Our members face challenges that could be mitigated by minimising the cost and complexity of regulations, de-risking innovation around de-carbonisation, and ensuring they have the skills that they need.”
Christie & Co upbeat about convenience market
CONVENIENCE retailers may face rising costs this year but business property specialists Christie & Co is predicting continuing strong demand for sites.
Its Business Outlook 2025 report says measures in the UK Government’s budget will affect wages, may potentially cause inflation and have a negative impact on hiring staff.
However, the report predicts that as convenience stores are needs-driven, consumers will accept price rises or seek out value for money, while it is unlikely that there will be a reduction in demand to buy c-stores, although purchasers will most likely factor cost increases into their offers.
Christie & Co noted that there was a 20% rise in the number of stores sold in 2024 compared with 2023, with an average of 10 viewings per sale. The average sale price of a convenience store increased 21% to £315,000.
Steve Rodell, the firm’s retail and leisure boss, said: “As long as retailers listen to customers and satisfy local demand, there is a good future for the convenience store.”
