Is sugar next in line to be given public-enemy stauts by health activists and lobbyists? The white stuff has featured in a number of statements from a variety of organisations in recent weeks. But director of the Scottish Food and Drink Federation Colette Backwell reckons the media heat and light is unhelpful while food producers and others await the release in the summer of in-depth scientific analysis of the effects on diet of sugar and other carbohydrates.

Wait for the facts on sugar

THE launch of the new health non-governmental organisation Action on Sugar in January sparked a media furore around sugars which continues to dominate headlines...
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SG Convenience Conversations: Keeping up with change

For the latest in our Convenience Conversation series, Scottish Grocer invited a select group of retailers, suppliers, wholesalers and EPOS firms to Dundee

SG Profile: Spar Errol

Retailer Rana Ali has carved himself out a slice of countryside life in the village of Errol in Perthshire after seven years at his shop in Carmyle in Glasgow

Awards profile – The dairy award (milk) 2015

Winner: Spar Dalrymple The Dairy Award (Milk) - Sponsored by Müller Wiseman Dairies Interview with Angela Pattie, manager (right). Store details Size: 2,800 sq ft Opening hours: 7am – 10pm...

New directions: Harry Singh, Londis of Carstairs Junction

After finishing school aged 18, Harry Singh stepped into the back of his family’s Carstairs Junction store to pore over sales data. Now he’s...
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,...

SG interview: Elaine Bone, Border Biscuits

With 31 years and counting, there are few who know Border Biscuits like Elaine Bone. From school leaver to production manager, Elaine tracks the journey of a brand success story

New directions – Sharif Touchshop Dunfermline

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

SG Profile: Costcutter New Deer

In 2015, the Scottish Government announced the Convenience Store Resource Efficiency Grant. Sandy Matthew, of Costcutter New Deer, was one of those who applied.

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...

Collaborate and we’ll innovate

Food manufacturers and others need to work together to find solutions for a new era’s challenges says Colette Backwell, director of the Scottish Food...

Joining the Club

Retailer Iqbal Sadiq discusses the impact of the revamped Kensitas Club at St George’s Post Office and Spar Maryhill

SG interview: Duncan Malyon, Camelot

Betting big on new strategy for 2018 – Camelot’s retail director Duncan Malyon sets out vision.
Uzair Ali

New directions

We ask some of Scotland’s young c-store retailers about their businesses and the key issues of the day. Since taking on his father-in-law’s store last...
Shop shelf

SG opinion: Will obesity plans affect business?

FDF’s David Thomson offers his assessment.
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...