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...

SG interview: Boyd Tunnock, Tunnock’s

Expanding teacakes – it’s all go at Tunnock’s

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...

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...
Jo Eccles

Play staff discipline issues by the book

NO-ONE likes having to discipline a member of staff, but disciplinary and dismissal issues are some of the most frequent enquiries we receive at...
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...

Local pride

Winner: Gerry Haughey, Spar, Main Street, Thornliebank Store Manager of the Year 2015 – sponsored by Tennent’s Interview with Gerry Haughey. Winner details Size: 3,000 sq ft Symbol: Spar Staff: 11 Hours: 6am...
Joanna Waddell

Plastic strategy will affect retail

LATE last year CMS teamed up with the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) to host an event in Edinburgh, looking at the affect of plastic waste regulations on the nation’s food and drink sector.
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Doing a fair trade

Winner: Spar, Logans Road, Motherwell Collectables Retailer of the Year Award 2014 – in association with Topps. Interview with Kashain Arshad, manager, above left, and Asif...

First class package

Winner:  Whitburn Post Office and Costcutter Post Office Retailer of the Year - sponsored by The Post Office Interview with Teresa Hill, owner. Winner details Store trading area: 1,700...
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
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...

Uncharted territory

In its first Convenience Conversation, Scottish Grocer invited a select group of retailers and representatives from the UK’s leading tobacco and tobacco accessories firms...

Awards profile – confectionery retailer of the year

WHEN Mohammed Asif opened his Spar convenience store in Forfar in May 2011, on the site of a former kitchen showroom that had been...
Shakeel Arshad owns two Spar stores

Shakeel Arshad, Spar

Shakeel Arshad owns two Spar stores, the 1800 sq ft Spar store and Post Office in Bishopmill, Elgin, and the 1000 sq ft Spar...

Awards Profile: Licensed Retailer of the Year

Winner: Doonfoot Day-Today, Ayr Supported by: Pernod Ricard UK