James Convenience Store, located within Derby bus terminal, has been named the joint winner in the Responsible Retailer of the Year category at the 2021 Asian Trader Awards. The store is run by Jonathan James, whose James Retail Group operates around 45 convenience and newsagent stores across the central belt of the country.
Obviously, team training is key to ensure that they keep up to date with any legislation.
“We've got a manager who constantly just looks at compliance right across all of our stores, and to keep themselves up to speed with latest government legislation,” Jonathan says. “Plus, we've got a full-time trainer who works throughout all our stores, making sure that our team members are up to speed on compliance training, so it's a team effort.”
Jonathan, who is the current Chair of the ACS Independent Retailer Board, also works with the trade body’s Assured Advice scheme, which provides accredited standards for in-store procedures.
They have a zero tolerance policy regarding violence or intimidation towards the staff. With most of their stores being in local neighbourhood areas, the team members will know the local customers, and that greatly helps defuse tense situations. Yet, they have seen instances of abuse and violence during the Covid-19 pandemic, when tempers often flared with mask rules, limits on products and social-distancing measures.
“We've had that within the store. One of the things we invested in was headsets, so that our staff who are on shifts can very easily talk to one another wherever they are in the store. And if there's known troublemakers, we can very quickly rally the team to that area to assist in dealing with that person,” he says, explaining the measures they have taken.
“We work closely with the local police who work with the local bus station security to ensure that's kept to a minimum.”
James Convenience Store at Derby bus terminal
The Derby store is an exemplar of his excellent adherence to legal and regulatory guidelines, as he designed the store in compliance with the upcoming HFSS regulations during a refit last year. And, he also worked closely with suppliers like Country Choice and local authorities to make sure that the store is compliant with “Natasha’s Law”, which mandated changes to the allergen labeling of pre-packed-for-direct-sale foods from October last year.
The refit itself has been an interesting story, as the key focus was very much to bring into play food to go.
Of course, food to go is the perfect service situated within a bus station where “feet on the street” are in abundance. But, bear in mind that they went for the refit after the pandemic changed all that with lockdowns and work from home.
“We turned this to a positive and took the opportunity to look hard at what we sell and use the early Covid days to refine and shape our offer,” he says.
Responsible re-fit
“We knew that once everything opened up again, the government focus was very much on pushing people towards public transport more. There's only an announcement (recently) by the government about how they were going to invest heavily in low carbon neutral buses, zero emission buses. And because the place was quiet, it made sense to minimise disruption to refit it at that time,” says James.
So, instead of reducing the offer in line with shrinking footfall, they have invested in creating a food-to-go proposition that inspires, excites and provides something that little bit different.
“The refit was a significant one. We spent money on it, knowing that once everything did open back up again, it would be a big benefit to the store to have a good food-to-go offer and give a really good point of difference to the store to the surrounding area, which is exactly what has happened,” he says.
The store was relaunched in August last year, with a food-to-go wall featuring Costa, fwip, f’real, Rollover, Rustlers, Tango Ice Blast machines. They now attract custom as a destination venue, from local businesses and the local college – where students now increasingly divert to the station to pick up their coffees, breakfast, their snacks, and food to go on their way to college – not just catching travellers through the bus station.
“We've gone from probably about 10 per cent of the store being food to go to around about 30 per cent of the store now being food to go. It's performed exactly as we'd hoped it would,” Jonathan says, adding that they also see the constant growth in public transport figures being reflected in the store’s sales.
The Derby store has an excellent fresh and chilled range, and they make their own sandwiches in store. They worked with a local celebrity on their menu, bringing in new lines such as Derbyshire Oatcakes with accompaniments such as bacon and tomato, or mushrooms and cheese.
James Convenience Store, Derby
The highlight, however, is the cafeteria. “There's a really lovely cafeteria that we’ve got, with seating in there for our customers. And now that's been allowed to open again witha really good meal offer and a good menu with healthy options. So it's basically everything you'd expect in a modern convenience store,” he adds.
All these innovations are targeted at the young customer who wants something on the go. “They drive additional footfall which is needed due to the impact of lockdown, and they enable us to adapt in an ever-changing young customer base looking for the new things,” he explains.
Local provenance has become a big back-story for them, and Jonathan is all praise for their invaluable support. At the Derby store, they buy fresh, home-made cakes and make all their sandwiches (to go) on site using fillings sourced from local partners and artisan producers, which has quickly gained a reputation for excellence.
“I would mention our local supplier, Luke Evans Bakery, who work with us on making fresh cakes and bread which is delivered every morning. Great service, real passion, and fabulous products which really support our business,” he says.
And, this is the story across the whole group. “Wherever we can source locally, we will source locally. We're probably dealing with about 30 different bakeries,” he says, and there’s a certain enthusiasm when he adds: “We pride ourselves in supporting local suppliers. That's an absolutely key focus of ours. I mean, we advertise that fact; so many local suppliers that we've worked with for many, many years proudly say so. Yes, whatever we can source locally, we will.”
He adds that the support enjoyed by local stores is in fact the support to local businesses, and for stores, there’s a big learning curve there. “Our local suppliers, they kicked in where we were perhaps having supply issues on a national basis. The local suppliers pick that up. So, there's a big shift in people wanting to see local supplies,” he says.
From farm to farm shop, to retailer
Perhaps, his family background in farming is an inspiration behind the support to local suppliers. Jonathan’s first venture in retail was a farm shop, as they looked to diversify the family farm to make it more viable, “because farming is a very difficult industry to be in.”
“So myself and my father, we converted one of our little sheds on the farm into a small farm shop. And we started growing and selling our own produce, and fine produce also from the London wholesale markets. That was sort of the start of my retail life,” he recollects.
He has been involved in the forecourt and convenience sector since January 2000, when he, along with his wife Rebecca, took over the family petrol station in Cambridgeshire.
“We've sort of evolved the business quite a lot. We've still got four petrol stations, and also we own a supermarket. We rent all of those out. That's one side of the business,” he says.
The other side, of course, is the James Convenience Retail, formed in 2015 with the acquisition of the former GT Retail business. The Derby store was part of that cohort.
Subsequently in March 2016 they acquired First Stop News Limited– the holding company of Rippleglen, trading stores as Supernews and Maynews across the UK– creating one of the largest operators of Home News Delivery in the country and a strong regional force in the independent convenience sector.
The business, with stores ranging anywhere from 400 to 4000 sqft in size, is managed from the head office in Barlborough, North Derbyshire. They employ around about 300 staff, with all store workers being recruited locally.
James Convenience Store, Derby
So, it’s with that bird’s-eye view that James suggests convenience stores need to be a destination store in the community.
“As high streets are evolving, we've got to be very much a one-stop shop for everybody. So again, just sort of picking up the slack of what's left behind from the pandemic,” he explains.
“For example, is there a growth in buying local fresh meat, if the local butcher has struggled or if a local greengrocer has closed down, can you improve your range of fresh fruit and vegetables? It's making sure you give people so many different reasons to visit your store.”
Another crucial point is to understand the area and consumers. “Don't try and second guess your customers. Ask your customers,” he suggests, adding that that’s how they went in for the refit of the Derby store.
“We were getting constantly asked for an improved food-to-go offer within that store. So we've now given them: they've got a grab-and-go solution, they've got a sit-down solution, they got products made in store,” he explains.
“I think my key advice is, is ask the customers what they want and do everything to deliver it. There's no point in giving a whole range to something that your customers aren't going to need.”
This assumes much larger significance now, as he anticipates strong competition in the convenience retail with the pandemic-induced change in shopping habits sure to bring new operators into the sector.
“I say this regularly that we're extremely fortunate that the convenience sector is part of the retail sector that everybody wants to be in. But the challenge for the convenience sector is that it's the retail sector that everybody wants to be in,” he cautions.
“Everybody now is realising that the pandemic has really changed the consumer to shop locally. So that I think is the biggest challenge we have. It's always been a very competitive area–and now going to be an extremely competitive area to be in.”
He also predicts an “unknown challenge” from the dark stores and therapid delivery apps. “That is the unknown challenge and I think they're a far bigger threat to convenience stores than people realise,” he warns.
There won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution; and his approach to ward off these challenges is to look at what they have got in the area and where there are strengths and weaknesses. “And we play towards that. And we're good at doing that,” Jonathansigns off, exuding confidence.
Snappy Shopper, the UK’s leading quick-commerce platform, has entered into a ground breaking strategic partnership with Foodhub, one of the country’s fastest-growing online food ordering platforms.
Through this collaboration, customers will now gain convenient access to Snappy’s wide selection of grocery items alongside Foodhub’s popular range of local restaurant offerings.
This innovative partnership, building on recent partnerships with Allwyn UK, Booker Wholesale and One Stop Retail, combines Snappy Shopper’s market-leading in-store grocery technology with Foodhub’s established takeaway platform, creating an “all-in-one” experience for customers. Through this integration, customers can now order groceries from Snappy Shopper’s UK wide network of convenience stores, directly with the Foodhub app.
The collaboration aims to enhance convenience for shoppers at the same time as maximising the audience reach for Snappy’s retail partners, at no additional cost.
Mike Callachan, CEO of Snappy Shopper, said, "Our mission at Snappy Shopper is to fuel growth for retailers and bring unmatched convenience to communities. “With partnerships like those we’ve recently established with Allwyn UK, Booker Wholesale, One Stop Retail and now with Foodhub, we’re expanding access for both small and large retailers to reach more customers - by taking the best that local convenience stores have to offer, directly to digital customers. We will continue to innovate and create new opportunities for our retailers to grow their sales during a period when market conditions are tough.”
Snappy Shopper’s market leading in-store tech can now be used to accept orders from multiple platforms. It's order aggregation feature ensures that orders are received seamlessly, arriving directly on the existing in-store devices for quick and efficient fulfilment using the already established in store process our retailers are familiar with.
This enhancement allows Snappy Shopper’s retailers to access online customers across multiple channels while managing in-store operations with one streamlined system. Launching with a phased rollout, select Snappy Shopper stores will initially join Foodhub’s marketplace, with plans to expand nationwide.
Ardian Mula, CEO of Foodhub, said: "Foodhub's partnership with Snappy makes life even easier for our loyal customers. They're now going to be able to order essential groceries from store to door in around just 30 minutes at the tap of a button through our app. And, as the UK's fastest growing takeaway marketplace platform, this partnership means we're going to offer even more people the chance to enjoy their food and drink at great value prices."
Snappy Shopper listed grocery, convenience and retail stores that are interested in availing of this opportunity are encouraged to reach out to their dedicated point-of-contact, or if new and keen to explore delivery fill in this form.
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has launched an extended version of its ‘Selling Vapes Responsibly’ guide to support retailers with the transition away from disposable vapes ahead of a ban on the products on June 1st 2025.
The guide is produced with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards as assured advice, which means that ACS members can rely on this advice and the interpretations of how to comply with the new regulations.
The new guidance outlines the features that vapes need to have to be legal for sale from June 1st, as well as what to do with any disposable vapes that are unsold when the ban comes into force. Vapes that are legal to sell from June 1st must be chargeable and refillable, as opposed to disposable vapes which are intended for a single use and are limited to 2ml of vape liquid.
Anyone selling disposable vapes from June 1st 2025 could be subject to a £200 fixed penalty notice, followed by further enforcement action if illicit activity continues.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The introduction of a ban on disposable vapes next year will mark a major change for thousands of retailers that currently stock these products. We have produced this guide to help retailers with the transition and ensure that nobody falls on the wrong side of the law on June 1st. It is important that any retailer selling vapes not only prepares themselves for the change, but also communicates with customers on the implications of the ban to avoid any potential confrontations or flashpoints in store.
“By having this advice assured as part of our award-winning scheme with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards, retailers can have confidence that following this guidance will see them operating legally and without fear of prosecution.”
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “Single-use vapes are a major source of litter and waste precious resources, which is why we are banning them from June 2025.We are working with local authorities, trading standards, and industry organisations to help businesses prepare for the ban, and we welcome this guidance to support the transition.”
The Government is introducing the ban to deal with the millions of disposable vapes that are thrown away every week. These products contain lithium batteries which are important to recycle, not just because they are a limited resource but because they are a potential fire risk if sent to landfill.
Since the start of 2024, retailers who sell vapes have been required to provide a takeback service for customers on a minimum of a ‘one for one’ basis (a customer can return a vape when they purchase a new one). ACS’ guide sets out all of the requirements on retailers when taking back used vapes, storing them in their business and arranging for regular collection so that they can be recycled.
The Selling Vapes Responsibly guide also includes advice for retailers on how to spot an illicit product, with information on all of the things to look out for on the packaging and where to check the list of legitimate products, as well as advice on preventing underage sales and the use of Challenge25 to support colleagues.
The full guide, as well as posters for retailers to display in their store to communicate the ban to customers, are available here: https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/selling-vapes
Earlestown Athletic Junior Football Club have a brand-new training kit thanks to the support of SPAR Newton-le-Willows.
The club’s Under-17s Celtic team have SPAR sponsored yellow and black shirts and black shorts helping the players look and feel more professional at training sessions and on matchdays.
SPAR advertising boards have also been put up at the club’s ground, The Hive, and the sponsorship came about after Club Manager Carl Hollingsworth made a beeline for the SPAR Newton-le-Willows store when seeking a kit sponsor for the 2024-25 season.
Carly Ashurst, Store Manager at SPAR Newton-le-Willows, said: “I am very pleased we have been able to help out Earlestown on this occasion and are proud to be a sponsor of the club.
“SPAR is a community retailer, and I was delighted to visit the ground with my Area Manager Gill Leech to meet the team and give them our support for the rest of the season.”
Dave Edwards, Club Secretary at Earlestown Athletic JFC, said: “Huge thanks to SPAR for supporting our club with the training kit and advertising boards at our ground.
“The training kits look fantastic and are a much-valued resource for our players who train in them twice a week and also wear them to warm up before kick-off on Sundays.”
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.
Farmers have warned they have "nothing to lose", campaigners have warned, amid fears grow that parts of the farming industry may disrupt food supplies in protest against the Government's inheritance tax policy while ministers are reportedly preparing contingency plans to ensure stores shelves remain stocked.
Industry officials are closely monitoring the escalating tensions and are expected to meet with government representatives this week to assess the potential impact of any action, The Telegraph reported on Sunday (17). This comes ahead of a planned rally on Tuesday (19), where as many as 20,000 farmers are set to converge outside Parliament to protest a 20 per cent tax on inherited agricultural land valued at over £1 million.
Campaign groups cautioned on Sunday that failure to negotiate a resolution could see more radical factions resort to drastic measures, such as blockading ports, airports, and railway lines.
The threat has raised concerns about empty supermarket shelves this winter and risks bringing back memories of disruption last seen at the start of the Covid pandemic, when people stockpiled food at home.
However, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has dismissed the possibility of a policy reversal. Writing in The Telegraph, he urged farmers to “check the facts” and defended the Government’s stance.
In a further attempt to defuse tensions, one minister called for calm, while a Labour MP suggested dissenting farmers had been misled by powerful landowners. With the protest looming and supply chains under threat, the Government faces mounting pressure to address the growing unrest within the farming community.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is currently attending the G20 summit in Brazil, defended the Government’s Budget, highlighting a record £5 billion investment in farming. Speaking to reporters aboard a flight to Rio de Janeiro, he acknowledged concerns over the controversial inheritance tax but sought to reassure farmers.
“Obviously, there’s an issue around inheritance tax, and I do understand the concern,” Starmer said. “But for a typical case—parents with a farm they want to pass on to one of their children—by the time you account for exemptions on the farm property, spouse-to-spouse transfers, and parent-to-child allowances, there’s £3 million before any inheritance tax applies. That’s why I am absolutely confident the vast majority of farms and farmers will not be affected by this.”
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has publicly urged its members not to strike, but some farmers are threatening action. Clive Bailye, one of the organisers of Tuesday’s protest, said he would not condone direct action but warned some farmers could take matters into their own hands.
“If they really got their act together, they could block entire train tracks and ports. English farmers are a bit more Queensberry Rules than the French, they don’t want to punish the public. I could see things like ports or airports being disrupted if the Government really does dig in, that is what we are going to see over the winter.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said, “Retailers are closely monitoring the impact of the potential interventions, including strikes, but are adept at dealing with disruption and are working hard to ensure customers aren’t impacted.”
Essex Police has urged the stores selling knives and blades to sign up to its Responsible Retailer scheme.
The initiative is a partnership with Essex Trading Standards and the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to help prevent knife crime.
Responsible Retailers pledge to
Store and display knives safely and securely
Operate a strict ‘Challenge 25’ age verification policy
Prominently display ‘Challenge 25’ posters explaining age verification to customers
Provide full and robust training for retail staff
Understand they could refuse sale to anyone if there is a concern a knife will be misused, or if the buyer appears drunk, agitated or aggressive
Share relevant knife crime intelligence with appropriate agencies.
“Stores must not sell knives or blades to anyone who is drunk or who appears agitated or aggressive. Staff should also consider the sale carefully if the customer is presenting any signs of being in crisis or other such vulnerability,” PC Glen Foote said.
“In fact, they can refuse entry, refuse to serve or remove people from their premises for a variety of reasons.
“We want staff to feel confident to refuse a sale, particularly if they are concerned a knife or blade will be misused, even if the person is legally old enough to buy one.
“The law states you must be 18 or over to buy a knife but we ask scheme members to agree to Challenge 25, which means asking for ID from anyone who appears to be under 25 if they seek to buy one.”
Foote also pointed out that anyone buying a knife or bladed article online should also be asked to verify they are 18 when they buy it and should be asked for ID when it is delivered or they collect it.
Across Essex, police recorded 1,498 incidents of knife-enabled crime in the 12 months to 31 October 2024.
This is a slight decrease when compared with the same period last year and an approximately 8 per cent decrease on pre-Covid levels.
If you are a store owner or manager and wish to find out more about the Responsible Retailer scheme or contact Essex Police business crime officers, visit the webpage.