Scott Graham, McLeish, Inverurie

Awards profile – Chilled retailer of the year 2016

Winner McLeish, Inverurie Chilled Retailer of the Year 2016 Sponsored by: Kerryfresh, Scotty Brand and McIntosh of Strathmore Winner details Size: 1500 sq ft - Symbol: KeyStore Staff:...
The main bakery fixture at Spar, Hillfoot Road in Ayr takes a prime position in Aisle 1 of the store. Wrapped bread and loose rolls take up the first section of the fixture. As consumers make their way down the aisle they pass morning goods in the second fixture section. The substantial local popularity of cake means those products take a large space in the third segment. To make way for the cakes, Spar-branded part-baked bread and world breads are merchandised in a free-standing display unit at the start of the fixture, and the products do well there. The main fixture ends with bake-off products.

Award profile – Bread and Bakery of the Year Award 2014

Winner: Spar, Hillfoot Road, Ayr Bread and Bakery of the Year Award 2014 – in association with Kingsmill. Interview with Kevin Rarity, store manager, above left,...

Whole new world

It’s a new year and for many retailers their resolution for 2017 will be to open a new shop or revitalise an existing one....

SG interview: Keith Whyte, Mitchells

Mitchells The Dairy Shop and Tearoom shut last month after serving the community for nine decades. Before closing, we spoke to co-owner Keith Whyte.

Awards profile: Post Office Retailer of the Year

Winner: Coylton Convenience Store, Ayrshire Supported by: The Post Office

Awards Profile – Innovation in Impulse

OPENING a new store at any time can be a challenge but this must go doubly so during a pandemic. It was no small feat then, when Barry Oujla, owner of Barry’s Convenience Stores, and his son Steven, opened a new store in 2020.

SGF: “Prepare for the worst”

C-STORE owners who have faced the challenge of a supermarket or discounter moving into their area told other retailers what to look out for...

Thinking ahead: Ferhan Ashiq

East Lothian retailer Ferhan Ashiq’s new store utilises innovative thinking and new technology to make the most of a small space. Scottish Grocer paid...
Rekz Afzal operates a community fridge and cabinet initiative at his store, RSA Your Local Shop in Paisley town centre. The initiative offers support for Paisley residents struggling with food poverty by providing access to produce, prepared meals and household essentials.

SG Profile: C-store support

Paisley retailer Rekz Afzal made waves on social media with his community fridge. Six months later the initiative is going strong

Asif Ashraf, Smartways and MHouse Solutions

Asif Ashraf founded the symbol store chain Smartways in 2013. It has since grown to include 11 stores. He also owns and runs EPoS...
Headshot of Harriet Gray

Staff need support through bills crisis

Harriet Gray, Employment Associate in the People, Reward and Mobility team at Dentons UK and Middle East LLP, discusses employee wellbeing and productivity.
SGF public affairs adviser John Lee.

Pain but no gain from plain packs

Westminster surprised many when it said it would look again at plain packaging on tobacco. In Scotland the powers that be are ready to...

A worrying ‘wish list’

By Audrey Ferrie LAST month, Alcohol Focus Scotland, in collaboration with the BMA Scotland and two alcohol related charities  published their report ‘Changing Scotland’s relationship...
Bep Dhaliwal, trade communications manager, Mars Chocolate UK, left, and awards event host Craig Hill, right, present the Community Champion Award to Asif Akhtar and Abada Akhtar of Smeaton Stores, Kirkcaldy.

Family store gives heaps of support

Community Champion – supported by Mars Chocolate Winner: Premier Smeaton Stores, Kirkcaldy, Fife Winner details Staff: 4 Symbol: Premier Smeaton Stores has been a family business for three...

Awards profile – Technology & Digital Engagement Award

Winner: Family Shopper, Blantyre Sponsored by: The Retail Data Partnership and Zapper
scottish-grocer-convenience-conversation

Experts discuss how to make c-stores more profitable and sustainable

In the third Convenience Conversation of 2019, the panel discuss the need for innovation to survive