A look at what’s going on across the convenience channel and associated businesses and organisations
InPost Newstrade cuts costs after pressure from the Fed
MEDIA distribution outlet InPost Newstrade has agreed to make some changes to its carriage charge model following talks with the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed).
The news wholesaler has announced that it is to decrease its base charge for retailers with lower sales. The increase for all other retailers will also be capped at £4.99 per store a week.
Commenting on this decision, Mo Razzaq, the Fed’s national president, said: “The Fed has been in discussion with InPost Newstrade about the difficulties our members are facing in such challenging financial times.
“The fact that the news wholesaler has listened and, more importantly, has acted on our members’ concerns is positive and we are pleased to see it taking steps to protect smaller news stores.
“That said, the Fed still does not support the carriage model, and we will continue to press for an alternative. We want our supply chain partners to get around the table to explore better ways of operating that mean publishers and wholesalers are not piling on more costs on hard-pressed retailers who can ill afford to pay them.”
Grant Jordan, MD at InPost Newstrade, said: “We remain committed to working alongside our partners to support the long-term sustainability of the newspaper and magazine category.”
FDF Scotland event to celebrate healthy innovation
FOOD and drink firms aiming to keep up with consumer trends and stay ahead of regulations are being urged to attend a special event on 12 March.
Celebrating Innovation and Reformulation for Health, at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, will see Minister for Public Health Jenni Minto and National Chef of Scotland Gary Maclean give keynote speeches.
Joanne Burns, of organiser Food and Drink Federation Scotland, said: “We’ll bring together industry experts, regulators and businesses to help even more of Scotland’s best-loved brands to make their products healthier.”
Scotland Food & Drink launches Showcasing Scotland UK
SCOTTISH producers will have the chance to impress major UK buyers at a new event being run by Scotland Food & Drink.
Showcasing Scotland UK will bring together 80 food and drink firms for “speed-dating” sales meetings with 80 leading UK buyers from retail, wholesale, foodservice and hospitality.
The event will take place on 14 May at the Doubletree Hilton, Glasgow, with a dinner for informal networking the night before.
Stephanie Pritchard, of Scotland Food & Drink, said it would help the “ambition to sell more Scottish food and drink, building a sales footprint in UK markets”.
