Natalie Lightfoot

Coolness as a virtue

In Baillieston, east Glasgow, the selling power of frosty temperatures is well understood by retailer Natalie Lightfoot
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...
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,...

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...
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...

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

Kilwinning retailer Sandeep Dhaliwal has been running the family business for three years.  His fresh ideas and a major refurbishment have yielded great results. We...
Colin Smith

Awards profile – Symbol Store of the Year (single-store) 2015

Winner: Pinkie Farm convenience store, Musselburgh Symbol Store of the year (single-store business) – in association with Scottish Grocer magazine Interview with Colin Smith, owner (pictured...

SG interview: Duncan Malyon, Camelot

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

Delivering success for convenience

Snappy Shopper was founded in 2016 by former retailer Scott Campbell, local businessman Valy Ossman and Mike Calalchan, a developer from Scottish web design firm MTC Media

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...

Awards profile – The Dairy Award (Independent Store) 2016

Winner: Spar, Renfrew The Dairy Award (Independent Store) Sponsored by: Müller

Staying on top of AE pensions

Compliance essential as contributions increase

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...
Asiyah and Jawad Javed Day-Today Stenhousemuir

Awards Profile – Community Retailer of the Year

Putting customers first is second nature to the team at Day-Today Stenhousemuir – and it’s an attitude that’s won them international plaudits.
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...