Home Comment and Interview

Comment and Interview

Random
woman receiving notice at work

Fire and rehire is risky business

Controversial practice should be a tactic of last resort

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...

Awards profile: Bakery Retailer of the Year (independent store)

Winner: Giacopazzi’s, Milnathort Supported by Warburtons

Spirits move bears fruit for Kopparberg

Neil Robinson offers his views on how the Swedish cider brand has fared since expanding into spirits

Awards profile – Collectables Retailer of the Year 2015

Fleming Gifts, Whitecrook, Clydebank Collectables Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Topps Interview with Gulzar ‘Iky’ Ahmed, owner. Winner details: Size: 450 sq ft Staff: 3 Period...

New directions – Faraz Iqbal, Linktown Local Kirkcaldy

We ask some of Scotland’s young c-store retailers about their businesses and the key issues of the day. Linktown Local in Kirkcaldy has been completely...
bruce-donna-morgan

Awards Profile: Post Office Retailer of the Year

Winner: Best-one @ Brownlies, Biggar Supported by: Post Office .

Someone to rely on

SCOTTISH Grocer’s Employee of the Year 2016, Katherine MacDonald, didn’t expect to ever win such an award. Even on the night of the presentation, when...

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...
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...
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,...

It’s time to party!

A period of major celebration, socialising, gift giving and indulgence, the festive season is brimming with potential for the canny retailer. But how to...
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
Wendy Morrell, second right, and her husband Malcolm, second left, receive the 2013 Merchandising Award, run in association with P&G, at the 2013 Scottish Grocer Awards presentation event.

Awards profile – Merchandising award 2013

Our winner: life and times Wendy Morrell – Scottish Grocer Merchandising Award winner 2013 – in association with P&G Store details: Symbol: Best-one Size: 800 sq ft Opening...

Awards profile: Post Office Retailer of the Year

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

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...
123...11Page 1 of 11
Scottish Grocer and Convenience Retailer
Scottish Grocer, Scotland’s leading magazine for the convenience retailing sector, has kept Scotland’s local food and drink retailers up to date for nearly a century. Renowned within the industry as a quality title, its knowledgeable and consistent independent editorial ensures it is a magazine that retailers can trust and rely on regardless of market conditions.
© 2026 Peebles Media Group Limited. All rights reserved