Glasgow

Connecting with local customers is no small task, though it has to be an increasingly growing one to do so with a student demographic. Capturing the attention of young adults and ensuring they spend in-store is an area that Gibson’s Premier excels in. By working directly with suppliers, the owners here create plenty of in-store theatre throughout key trading opportunities to ensure that new customers find the store, and returning students know they have a firm favourite throughout their university degrees.

Fairlie

A complete overhaul of this forecourt store has helped to deliver for its local customers and offer a point of difference along Scotland’s west coast. The store’s major refit has expanded its floor space to an impressive 1,100 sq. ft. and offers a full range of grocery options, chilled and food-to-go. Furthermore, the team fought to introduce an off-trade section, something in high demand with locals. As a result, the store now brings in an average of £28,000 per week, with a peak of £35,000 during the height of the summer.

Cupar

A move to a larger location has helped to introduce more services to Spar Ladybank and, in turn, more sales. With 1,750 sq. ft. to work with, the team makes strong use out of the CJ Lang & Son food to go offer including CJ’s and Barista Bar, something the village was sorely lacking before. And shoppers are also covered for a weekly shop as well with an extensive range of options that means locals don’t need to make a half-hour round trip to the nearest supermarket.

Clydebank

The importance of soft drinks to this store is obvious even before the consumer sets foot inside. Following a full refit, fridges run the length of the shop, facing the window and showing a full range of energy, full sugar and no-sugar drinks in sizes including multipacks and large single packs. Whenever a new drink joins the stock, the staff run customer tastings with samples available at the till point.

Aberdeen

The introduction of new chillers and lighting has really enhanced the soft drinks offering in this store. There is a large range with a little of everything and extra facings around the store to enable link-up sales or to highlight promotions and bigger brands. This retailer knows his customers and caters to their desires by sourcing what they want, e.g. local premium brand Bon Accord. The store operates a strict 16+ age limit for energy drinks and sells PMPs to be cheaper than nearby rivals.

Airdrie

A line of chillers down one side of this store shows a comprehensive mix of sugar-free, full sugar and energy drinks. Elsewhere, an aisle of multi-packs and large sizes gives the shopper another opportunity to pick up soft drinks with an added opportunity with drinks prominently displayed around the till. Price-marked packs play a big part within the well-merchandised range that reflects the retailer’s knowledge of trends and new releases.

Glasgow

It’s no small feat to run a successful store in the heart of Glasgow without an off-trade section, but the connection that Ali’s Nisa has established with its locals has ensured a busy shop floor. The retailer has introduced a reduced-price lunchtime offer for local high school students to support them and has managed to donate more than £6,000 to local charities, including the Beatson Cancer Charity and Glasgow Children’s Hospital. Over and above this, the store owner also supported a young Glasgow dancer to reach the Dance World Cup Finals in Dublin over the summer through personal donations.

Glasgow

Spar Clyne Condorrat has been on a mission in the last year to support its local community through a unique initiative set up by the store, in partnership with LifeVac Europe. The team has helped to introduce more than 30 life-saving anti-choking devices to local primary & secondary schools, nurseries and care homes throughout the Cumbernauld area, with plans to roll this out further across North Lanarkshire. Additionally, the team goes the extra mile to establish strong connections with its local customers to help find other community groups they can support.

Irvine

Family Shopper Bourtreehill prides itself as being ‘more than just a corner shop’ and it is clear to see why. The store owner has established a community hub through the store, one that gives locals in the area a real chance in setting themselves up. Whether this be through providing space for a local dance studio in the back of the store or finding a volunteer role in the store for a person with additional support needs, everything the retailer does is with the community in mind. He even goes so far as to help local pensioners with the Heat & Feed project which offers them a hot or cold meal, fruit and a bottle of water all for £1.

Scottish Borders

It seems that nearly every celebration in Galashiels has this store’s team there along the way supporting it. Spar Galashiels has made strong connections with local schools in the area to help teach them safety skills such as swimming or crossing the road, while also providing free produce for Gala Days or Sports Days. Further to this, the store supports local carnivals and marches in the area and maintains the town’s local community board. The store has also run a Tourette’s Awareness Afternoon in partnership with local celebrity and activist John Davidson MBE to support locals as well as a former staff member who also has Tourette’s.

Stirlingshire

This Highland Fuels site caters to the rural community but also attracts passing tourists, especially as a sizeable car park, including spaces for bikes and dogs, and Morrisons Daily store make it easy for customers to do a full shop. As well as four fuel pumps, there is a hi-tech jet wash, a 4-in-1 combi air/vacuum unit, parcel lockers, an ATM, a full Calor Gas range and a customer toilet with baby-changing facilities. The store features two self-serve checkouts and a bespoke loyalty app for customer promotions. As well as a great flow and range, there are impressive chilled and food to go offerings.

Glasgow

The services available at this filling station make it a destination site for many motorists in the area – especially since the accompanying store recently had a major refurbishment. The eight pumps offer all fuel grades and there is a separate AdBlue unit, while there are also four BP Pulse EV chargers. Also on the forecourt are two jet washes, a 4-in-1 combi air/vacuum unit, three laundrettes and a cash machine. The store allows for a full shop and caters well to the local community with very good ranging, food to go, meal deals, Scoot home delivery and much more besides.

Irvine

This forecourt offers motorists impressive facilities while the Morrisons Daily store has a strong “foodvenience” offering. The Highland Fuels-run station has six pumps featuring all fuel grades, two jet washes with snow foam lances, two 4-in-1 combi air/vacuum units and good on-site parking. The food to go includes freshly prepared Praveen Kumar curries and a noodle station. The store layout and ranging encourages impulse purchases near the tills and allows for a full shop, with strong fresh and meal-deal propositions, as well as a comprehensive motoring section. Other services include an ATM, an array of parcel lockers and home delivery.

Glasgow

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week – including a 24-hour delivery service – this store places convenience and customer service at the heart of everything it does. Team members are developed within the business through regular training, progression opportunities and a supportive culture where colleagues are encouraged to learn from one another. A recent fascia change has enabled the store to significantly expand its chilled range, delivering a substantial increase in sales. Technology is also key to the operation, underpinned by the belief that “every minute is important”, while an impressive social media presence keeps the store highly visible and connected with its customers.

Glasgow

A keen understanding of its customers is at the core of this store’s success. A recent move to a new symbol was driven by a desire to offer more of the products customers wanted, resulting in an impressive increase in sales of around £10,000 per week. It has also recently introduced a reverse vending machine, more than a year ahead of the DRS go-live date in October 2027, and has hosted events to help fellow retailers understand its benefits and share best practice. Furthermore, the store owner’s leadership extends beyond its walls with her position at the Fed, becoming its first female national deputy vice president in 107 years.

Wester Ross

The retailers have future-proofed this store with a massive refit that has introduced a food to go area, Barista Bar coffee machine, enclosed chillers, fresh lighting and ESELs. Competition from supermarket van deliveries is combatted by the store’s own free delivery service and a focus on local products as well as fresh, store-made FTG options. Another major point of difference is a huge hardware section. All staff are fully trained on compliance for food hygiene, nicotine and alcohol. An active Facebook page is backed up by leaflet drops to holiday homes in the village. And the store is very much at the heart of community activities.

Clydebank

The licensed offer at this store is shaped around a strong understanding of the local community, combining customer insight with a keen eye for emerging trends. From championing the growing alcohol-free category and expanding specialist products for the local Polish community, to chilled availability and striking illuminated displays, the store creates an engaging and carefully considered shopping experience. Seasonal events, social media trends and new product launches are embraced with energy by the manager and team, while regular staff training and a rigorous approach to responsible retailing ensure the offer remains both exciting and professionally managed.

East Lothian

Following a significant £300,000 refit, this store has transformed its alcohol offer into a true destination experience, combining specialist range with the convenience of a local retailer. From a walk-in beer cave and premium wine showcase to an impressive spirits selection and carefully chosen local Scottish products, the offer provides quality and choice across every price point. An expansion of the licensed section in the last year, strong promotional activity, engaging supplier events and a growing digital presence keep the range fresh and relevant. Knowledgeable staff and a commitment to responsible retailing ensure customers receive an informed, professional experience.

This store makes the most of its impressive space to create an alcohol offer that is both visually striking and highly responsive to customer needs. Large-scale displays, bulk stacks and prominent promotional features bring energy and theatre to the category, while a strong focus on NPD and RTD trends keeps the range fresh and engaging. With promotions refreshed regularly and supported across multiple channels, there is always something new. Behind the scenes, a committed team maintains high standards through ongoing coaching, careful attention to availability and merchandising, and a strong focus on responsible retailing and compliance.

Glasgow

A new store-wide refit has benefited the smokeless alternatives range massively in Girish’s Costcutter. All the stock has now been moved behind the counter, future-proofing it for years to come, with the vapes range in well-presented shelving that refills itself as staff take products out of the shelf. The store’s best-sellers sit in the middle of the selection to help offer further customer incentive and ensure staff can easily find the products and all team members have extensive training in managing the category, all of which is conducted in-house.

Glasgow

A vast and varied choice sits at the heart of the smokeless alternatives offer as RaceTrack Pitstop continues to showcase its strength within the category. Shoppers can benefit from promos across both the pod systems and liquid refills that allow customers to mix and match flavours as well as brands. Furthermore, the store boasts a unique refrigerator unit in which its nicotine pouch range is housed to respond to international customers claiming it provides a more intense nicotine hit and more flavourful experience.

Knowledge about the customers remains at an all-time high in Spar Renfrew as staff members clearly take the time to learn about their shoppers and know what it is they are looking for. This savvy approach has enabled the store to build up the smokeless alternatives category over the years to craft a range that is almost purpose-built to suit local customers in the area. Furthermore, with it being located close to Glasgow Airport, the nicotine pouch range remains a popular option for many nicotine users on their way to catch a flight.

Isle of Skye

Sustainability is embedded in this store’s leadership of its community, turning environmental action into tangible local impact. Local sourcing reduces food miles, while a comprehensive refill section cuts packaging and food waste. The store has eliminated plastic shopping bags, offers free water refills and reuses packaging wherever possible. Its recycling leadership has diverted an impressive 50kg of blister packs from landfill, alongside battery collection points. Movement-activated lighting and an air-source heat pump improve energy efficiency, while electric-vehicle deliveries help vulnerable customers shop locally. Crucially, the store inspires staff, schools and the wider community to make sustainability part of everyday life.

Moniaive

Sustainability and community commitment are inseparable at this store, with innovative initiatives turning waste reduction into meaningful local impact. Effective stock management minimises waste, while surplus carrots and apples are donated to a local horse business and short-life products are offered free to those who need them. The store proudly champions local producers, including products created by village residents. Its ‘What’s On at Watsons’ channels promote community events, while banking, Post Office and parcel services save customers a 17-mile journey. Vape recycling, box reuse, energy-efficient equipment, heat pumps and a new corrugated roof further demonstrate genuine environmental leadership.

Kilmarnock

Sustainability is at the heart of this store’s daily operation, with practical initiatives delivering a positive impact on the business, customers and local community. Energy-efficient LED lighting, timed fridges and a successful RVM are reducing energy use and waste, while the RVM has inspired local schoolchildren to take part in litter-picking. Strong relationships with local bakery and butcher suppliers support the community, while Gander and food to go initiatives help maximise efficiency. Relex technology reduces fresh-food waste, complemented by ESELs, online staff training and active social media, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to responsible retailing.

Greenock

The retailers running this new store have fully embraced KeyStore’s latest upmarket looks, layout and planograms to meet the needs of today’s convenience and top-up shoppers. Standout features include a beer cave and electronic shelf labels throughout that allow for accurate, real-time pricing and promotions. Snappy Shopper provides a digital extension of the outlet, while the owners make good use of KeyStore’s social media activity and expertise. Responding to customer demands, the retailers also offer a wide variety local products, such as Golden Casket’s drinks-to-go. A disciplined approach to training ensures the shop often exceeds the standards expected of a modern KeyStore symbol store.

Banff

This store has all the recognisable major features of the symbol, including a large beer cave, impressive ranges across key impulse categories and smart use of promotions. A superb ‘foodvenience’ own-brand Auntie Meg’s offering, featuring an in-store café, FTG and ready-meal options, make this a destination outlet. The retailer uses Booker’s Scoot home delivery platform to support convenience and top-up missions, and has increased the store’s social media activity. Vehicle branding also acts as a powerful marketing tool. There’s a strong emphasis on staff training across retail fundamentals and customer service. EPOS data is used to match local consumer expectations and community engagement is clearly evident.

KeyStore More Alloa, Kinross, Plean & KeyStore Abernethy

The owner uses his own hi-tech system to ensure operational excellence to provide a better customer service and better value every day across all four stores. The stores leverage the best of the Filshill proposition while still retaining a personal touch and local identity. There is a strong emphasis on staff training and development, again using the owner’s own digital set-up to deliver high standards across the team and encourage healthy competition between the stores. The outlets all have strong interactions with their respective communities, strive to meet customer needs and have a strong social media presence. The result is impressive sales growth.

Spar Garthamlock, Glasgow

The manager takes great personal pride in running what is undoubtedly an ambassador store for the symbol group. Motivational training, a great team culture and disciplined routines mean the shop consistently exceeds Spar expectations, with immaculate standards across availability, merchandising, cleanliness and compliance. The store is piloting the latest CJ Lang food to go programme in a truly impressive way and has been an early adopter of the Iceland partnership and Spar Dash delivery service. ESELs and digital screens highlight promotions and NPD. The outlet runs highly active social media and reacts quickly to customer requests. Sales are rising as a result of all these efforts.

Aberdeen

This retailer has a category knowledge second to none. He carries the products customers want and ensures there is always good availability. Cults Stores stocks 135 SKUs, with the owner buying in special brands for repeat customers. He’s adapted to the changing market, ensuring cheaper brands are in store, and sticks to RRPs to drive repeat purchases and customer loyalty. The retailer has a detailed understanding of the relevant legislation, including insights on proposed changes, and the store is plainly fully compliant. Tobacco accounts for about 18% of total sales, which is a measure of how well regarded he is by local adult smokers.

Leith

A hi-tech EPOS and linked vending machine style system that the retailer bought himself shows how important the tobacco category is for this store. The set-up allows for an impressive tobacco range and the owner has a strong focus on availability to ensure top-notch customer service. The retailer operates an RRP pricing strategy, along with passing on rebates to customers and makes good use of brand ambassadors. The store staff are very knowledgeable, there is clear, legally required signage and a refusals log runs through the tills. The retailer is also working with the tobacco companies to tackle illicit trade in the area.

Inverclyde

The manager is passionate about providing great customer experience and the tobacco range reflects the diverse demographic of adult smokers who trust this company-owned store to meet their preferences. In turn, she’s evidently well aware of what her regular customers want and does her utmost to ensure CJ Lang & Son deliver what she needs to meet those desires. The manager has a strong knowledge of the category products, broader nicotine market and related legislation, including forthcoming changes. The required signage is highly visible, there’s an automated EPOS system refusals log and the store is doing its bit to tackle local illegal trade.