KeyStore More in Bridge Street, Wick, was the first of the new symbol group sites to open. Situated on a busy road in the town centre and incorporating a Post Office, it has had a very successful first few months.

Bringing more to the community

KeyStore More is the new symbol store brand developed by JW Filshill. Though there are only a handful of stores around the country, the...

Speaking up for forecourt retailers

GORDON Balmer, the new chief executive of the Petrol Retailers Association, has taken charge of the organisation at a turbulent time.
pmi presentation

SG Convenience Conversations: Innovate and thrive

In its first Convenience Conversation of 2018, Scottish Grocer invited a select group of leading retailers and representatives to a discussion on innovation.
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,...

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.
Debbie and Andy Townsend (above) moved from Birmingham to Laide five years ago and took over the local Post Office and forecourt. In a small community, many miles from the nearest supermarket, they are relied on for a lot more than the average corner shop, but have risen to the challenge of meeting the needs of their customers.

Best Laide plans

A village shop, Post Office and petrol forecourt, Laide Post Office can boast a lot. Andy and Debbie Townsend moved to the area, in...

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...

Forecourt has plenty in the tank

IT’S a busy time at Spar Euro Garages Lomondgate, located on the main road from Glasgow to Balloch, as tourists flock to the shores...
1st Stop 2 Shop

New generation profile: Umar Sher, 1st Stop 2 Shop

We ask some of Scotland’s young c-store retailers about their businesses and the key issues of the day.

Growing… and in a good way

Food scares and scandals may be big news but Dr Colette Backwell, director of the Scottish Food and Drink Federation, argues that Scotland’s food...
Rachel Hartwell

Growing frozen

INDEPENDENT wholesaler Bestway has appointed a new category manager for its frozen business. Rachel Hartwell joins from the Musgrave group. She is now responsible...

Leading the way in quaff sales – Maxwell’s Clarkston

THE doors may only have opened in August of last year, but Maxwell’s Clarkston has already established itself as a veritable Aladdin’s cave of...
Damian Guha, Mars Petcare UK,

New chief moves in at Mars Petcare

DAMIAN Guha has returned to Mars as managing director for Mars Petcare UK. He had a three-year break at Marks & Spencer, where...

Mitchells goes its own way

Awards profile – licensed retailer of the year Winner:  Mitchells Inverurie, Aberdeenshire Licensed Retailer of the Year 2016 - sponsored by Whyte & Mackay Interview with Keith Whyte, partner,...

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...

Seal of approval warrants concern

Alison Bryce, intellectual property and technology expert at Dentons UK discusses what implications the Queen’s death can have business.