British retail technology company, NearSt, today announces a new technology for UK convenience retailers that automatically connects their in-store inventory to major delivery platforms such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat.
NearSt’s solution connects directly with convenience retailer's existing EPOS systems, ensuring their full in-store product range is displayed live on delivery apps. This delivers five key benefits to convenience retailers:
Increased revenue – Display your full in-store product range across delivery apps, helping customers build bigger baskets and driving sales growth
Minimise failed orders – Cut cancellations by over a third through real-time stock accuracy, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Save valuable time – Eliminate hours of manual work and tedious data entry, freeing up time for you and your staff.
Grow a local presence – Show all your products with high-quality images, titles and descriptions on any last-mile provider with ease.
Get started quickly – Start seeing results immediately with simple integration to your existing systems.
Recent Mintel research shows 59% of UK consumers are now doing some grocery shopping online, so offering reliable last-mile delivery has become a competitive necessity for convenience stores. However, many retailers struggle with time-consuming manual updates, high failed order rates, and limited product offerings across last-mile menus.
"This technology represents an important step forward for convenience retail," says Nick Brackenbury, Co-founder and CEO of NearSt. "We're empowering local retailers with capabilities that were previously out of reach. With our extensive network of over 150 point-of-sale partners alongside our last-mile delivery integrations, we enable retailers to seamlessly transform their last-mile offering into a genuine competitive advantage and revenue driver."
Pricewatch Group’s results Pricewatch Group - operating stores under Morrisons Daily, Nisa, Gulf, and BP brands - was the first retailer to leverage NearSt’s real-time local inventory feeds with delivery platforms, starting in September 2024. Since, Pricewatch has seen significant results in streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences and improving staff productivity:
913% sales growth across last mile platforms (first 11 weeks)
233% increase in Just Eat sales alone
59 hours per month saved in menu management
37% reduction in failed orders weekly
115% expansion in product range on last-mile menus
"We tried multiple digital partners and previously spent hours manually uploading inventory data. Then NearSt just comes along and makes it work. We've saved so much time and been able to reallocate it elsewhere to get much more done. From an operational time-saving aspect, NearSt has been invaluable.” says Tom Buckley, General Manager at Pricewatch Group.
Pricewatch x Just Eat menu:
"NearSt has made it achievable for us to run a cost-effective last-mile operation that's saving us a huge amount of time and money," says Claire Goddard, Marketing Manager at Pricewatch Group. "We now have a flawless and professional menu that rivals those of the major supermarket chains making it a dream for our customers to shop and buy on."
KASH Retail, operator of Nisa Local Fenby Avenue in Darlington, has generously donated £1,000 through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) Pride Pot to support this year’s Darlington Pride Festival.
The donation, inspired by store team member Gavin Morrison, who performs as drag queen Georgina Sparks, will provide a valuable boost to the event, helping organisers deliver an inclusive and vibrant celebration for the local community.
Darlington Pride Festival, taking place from Saturday 9 to Monday 11 August, is a key event in the town’s cultural calendar. The festival showcases performances, parades, and community activities, promoting diversity and inclusivity.
It is supported by numerous local businesses and organisations, including primary sponsor Cummins Inc. and the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner.
Cllr James Coe, Darlington Borough Council’s LGBT+ Champion, welcomed the donation, saying, “We’re very grateful to Nisa Local for offering £1,000 to support plans for this year’s event.
"The funds will be added to the council’s budget for the event and help make Pride 2025 extra special. “
The events team deliver a varied programme of free public events and welcome the opportunity to work with sponsors to make fun, exciting things happen in the town centre.."
KASH Retail was able to make this generous donation thanks to funds from MADL’s Pride Pot. The fund, created in 2023, allows Nisa retailers to support LGBTQ+ community groups and charities with £1,000 donations.
Nisa retailers are able to utilise the funding pot all year round.
Kevin Polley, Operations Manager for Nisa Local, highlighted the importance of customer support in making these donations possible: “Every time a customer buys one of our own-brand products, a penny from that sale is added to our Make a Difference fund.
"This donation is out of the MADL Pride Pot - we’re delighted to be supporting such a popular and inclusive event, right on our doorstep!”
Kate Carroll, Nisa’s Head of Charity, praised the initiative, stating: “We are incredibly proud to see Nisa retailers using MADL funding to support causes that matter to their local communities.
"The Pride Pot was created to help make a difference to LGBTQ+ events, and it is fantastic to see KASH Retail supporting Darlington Pride Festival in such a meaningful way.”
With the help of contributions like this, Darlington Pride Festival continues to grow, offering a welcoming and inclusive space for all to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Mevalco, the Bristol-based Spanish distributor which includes some of the UK’s most talented high-profile chefs and fine dining establishments amongst its customers, has announced a collaboration with The MAZI Project – the Bristol youth-led charity, which was founded in 2019 and nourishes vulnerable 16–25-year-olds through food.
The MAZI Project supports care leavers, and young asylum seekers, as well as young people recovering from homelessness or who may be fleeing domestic violence. Not only does The MAZI Project educate the next generation in food culture and health, but it empowers young people by helping them learn the trade and find job opportunities within the catering industry.
Mevalco is supporting the hard work of The MAZI Project volunteers by supplying some quality Spanish food ingredients to help spread the love of good food and good cooking.
Chef & Development Manager, Sam Sohn-Rethel is heading the collaboration for Mevalco and is a volunteer supporting The MAZI Project workshops and demonstrations. Sam emphasises the importance the work that The MAZI Project volunteers undertake and how food can support a fulfilling life – especially for young people:
“The MAZI Project is an incredibly worthwhile and inspirational charity, I am humbled by the work and commitment that this amazing team of volunteers gives to The Project. It truly does make a real difference to people’s lives.
“Food is very much our business – it’s something we feel passionately about. And we know that the love of food is a powerful ‘force for good’ when used to help guide young people who may be looking for new career opportunities. To learn new skills can be truly life changing.
“We are delighted to help through joining a fantastic team of volunteers and giving our time alongside some food ingredients to support The MAZI Project which we know is a lifeline to many young people in the city who have been struggling to find their way”.
Founder and CEO of The MAZI Project, Melanie Vaxevanakis, says:“The MAZI Project is all about nourishing vulnerable young people through food. Through our weekly recipe boxes, cooking classes, and talks with industry professionals, we are using food as a tool for social mobility, advocacy and a cure to the public health crisis.
“We use the dinner table and notion of ‘breaking bread’ to help reduce isolation, build confidence, and make those in need feel cared for and extraordinary.”
“We’re delighted to welcome Mevalco as a valued partner and look forward to the year ahead and the support we can collectively bring to those in need”.
Mevalco is one of the UK’s fastest growing wholesalers specialising in premium Spanish Foods which it sells into the Hospitality Industry as well as Retail markets. Voted the Best Small Wholesaler of the Year in 2019, it works closely with many of Bristol’s premier restaurants and hotel groups.
Single origin dark chocolate brand, Cox & Co, is upping the ante this Easter with the launch of two new Easter products.
Following the success of the launch of its Blood Orange Crunch bar in the autumn, Cox & Co has now created two new Easter products inspired by its newest flavour; a Blood Orange Crunch Egg Bar and a Blood Orange Crunch Easter Egg.
Cox & Co’s Blood orange crunch chocolate is made using 60 per cent single origin Colombian cacao, blended with blood orange extract and raw cacao nibs, resulting in a zesty citrus flavour, balanced with subtle vanilla notes and a moreish crunch.
“Our Blood Orange Crunch bar has quickly become a best-seller in a very short space of time, so extending this flavour into our 2025 Easter range made perfect sense,” explains Gavin Cox, founder of Cox & Co. “These two new Easter products are the perfect choice for dark chocolate lovers and those looking for a plant-based and ethical choice.”
Ideal for eco-conscious chocolate lovers, with Cox & Co you don’t need to choose between being ethical and enjoying an indulgent treat. With 100 per cent paper outer packaging and the egg sealed in a fully compostable bag made of wood pulp, the Cox & Co range is fully sustainable, plant-based and fully recyclable. The brand also works with Colombia’s Luker Chocolate estate, investing in farmers, communities and sustainable farming methods to produce chocolate that’s as ethical as possible.
Cox & Co offers a full range of Easter products including a selection of Easter Eggs in four flavours: Bee Pollen & Honey, Miso & Caramel, Mint Crunch and Blood Orange Crunch, as well as five Easter Egg Bars in five flavours: Bee Pollen & Honey, Miso & Caramel, Mint Crunch, Blood Orange Crunch and Raw Cacao Nibs.
Cox & Co’s NEW Blood Orange Crunch Easter Eggs (£155g RRP £12.50) and Easter Bar (140g RRP £8.99) are available to the channel through wholesalers including Cotswold Fayre, Diverse Fine Food and Suma
To celebrate the release of Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, only in cinemas from 13February, PopWorks is kicking off its first ever* on-pack promotion. It is running from 27 January to 23March across its Sweet & Salty and Sweet BBQ flavour 85g sharing bags. To celebrate the cinema release, the promotion offers shoppers an amazing opportunity to win a luxury getaway; official movie merchandise and gift vouchers, making this an unmissable promotion for Bridget Jones fans.
The partnership taps into a massive fanbase, with 13 per cent (8.9 million) of the UK population identifying as Bridget Jones super fans. As one of the most beloved film franchises, this is the perfect opportunity to enhance PopWorks' brand relevance with shoppers and establish its place as the perfect accompaniment to a big night in.
From exclusive Bridget Jones-themed merchandise to gift vouchers, the promotion is set to drive purchase, encourage repeat buys and elevate the in-store experience. Notably, PopWorks' Sweet & Salty 85g bags already boast a strong repeat rate of 38 per cent, highlighting consumer loyalty and the potential to drive further engagement. Shoppers can enter the promotion by simply purchasing participating PopWorks share bags, scanning a QR code on the pack and registering to enter on the website.
“This partnership with Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is a match made in heaven, bringing together an iconic film franchise and the perfect snack for a cinema trip,” said Cynthia Finke, PopWorks Marketing Director at PepsiCo. “The on-pack promotion provides an opportunity for retailers to boost brand visibility and drive consumer engagement with a brand that’s making waves in the snacks category. With over 500 winning moments, the promotion encourages impulse and repeat purchases and enhances the shopping experience.”
In addition to the on-pack promotion, PopWorks is further supporting the campaign with PR, digital, and point-of-sale (POS) marketing to ensure the excitement around this partnership reaches a wide audience. PopWorks is hosting an exclusive pre-release screening of the film, driving reach and awareness through influencers on social channels, plus hardworking digital/social assets. The on-pack promotion will be available across grocery, wholesale and discounters in Sweet & Salty and Sweet BBQ sharing bags.
*UK and ROI
Pack size: The products mentioned are Sweet & Salty Sweet BBQ 85g Share bags
T&Cs
‡UK & ROI, 18+. Starts 09:00 27/01/25. Ends 20:59 23/03/25. Enter between 09:00 and 20:59 each day. Buy a promo pack, scan the QR code or visit the website, and log in or register for an account by entering your details and pack code starting with ‘BJ’ for a chance to win. Keep pack. 672 Instant Win Prizes to be won (1 per hour), including vouchers and merchandise. All participants automatically entered into Grand Prize Draw to win 1 x trip for 2 to the Cotswolds. Max 1 entry per person per day. Max 1 Instant Win Prize per person. See here for full T&Cs and Prize details.
Magnum ice cream has launched its new Utopia range, featuring two of its most indulgent and premium flavours yet: Magnum Double Cherry and Double Hazelnut. The launch will be supported by an unmissable ATL campaign to amplify the launch from June.
As the market leader for ice cream innovation, the Magnum Utopia range introduces ground-breaking ingredient marbling technology for a truly multisensorial experience, featuring indulgent flavours swirled with multi-layer architecture and sauce. The leading reason for consumers buying ice cream is for an indulgent treat, and this new range delivers a uniquely satisfying and flavourful experience with every bite.
Magnum Double Cherry offers a tantalising combination of marbled berry-flavoured and velvety panna ice cream, drizzled in sour cherry coulis sauce. This ice cream is covered in signature cracking Magnum milk chocolate and crunchy berry-flavour sugar pieces.
Magnum Double Hazelnut swirls hazelnut and caramel almond ice creams within a rich salted hazelnut sauce. The ice cream is coated in thick white chocolate studded with salted caramelised hazelnut, almond and pistachio pieces elevating the sensory experience.
“We know that successful innovation is key to excite shoppers and deliver category growth," said Daniel Lythgo, Brand Manager Magnum UK, Unilever. "With every launch we continue to push the boundaries of indulgence, and our new marbled ice cream paired with rich sauces and inclusions delivers just that. Magnum Utopia Double Cherry and Hazelnut offers consumers a unique bite and flavour experience each time. We’re excited for both current and new shoppers to the category to try our new Magnum Utopia range and let us know their favourite!”
Magnum continues to invest in innovation and marketing, and these new products are no exception. The launch of Magnum Utopia is being supported by an unmissable, market-leading ATL campaign, leveraging TV, OOH, social media, experiential, audio and more.
The launch follows last year’s mood-inspired duo, Euphoria Pink Lemonade and Chill Blueberry Cookie, with the former being the top new product launch within the ice cream category in 2024. With Magnum’s ongoing growth, there is a clear opportunity for the brand to continue innovating and leading new product launches within the category, bringing consumers a wide range of exciting flavours and experiences. The new Magnum Utopia range is an exciting and promising addition to the brand’s existing range and to the ice cream category.