NEWS 📰 pladis, the snacking company behind McVitie’s, GODIVA and Ülker, has secured validation of its science-based climate targets from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for the first time. The targets include a commitment to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 35% by 2034 from a 2023 baseline. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/pladis-sustaina… #pladis #McVities #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail @pladis_Global

FEATURE STORY 🚨 With major TV moments like The Traitors and the World Cup continuing to bring people together, there are plenty of opportunities for conveninece stores to tap into big occasions and drive footfall. From snacks and sharing products with brands such as KP Snacks to drinks and beer from Molson Coors getting the right products, promotions and displays in place can help stores make the most of those key moments. Our latest feature looks at how retailers can turn big TV events into big opportunities. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/traitors-treats… #FeatureStory #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail @KPSnacks @MolsonCoors

NEWS 📰 For the first time ever, Sour Patch Kids are bringing mischief to the streets of the UK with its first-ever integrated campaign, created by global creative agency of record, VCCP. The playful new brand platform ‘Not As Sweet As They Lookʼ introduces UK consumers to Sour Patch Kidsʼ mischievous side: bringing to life the fact that while Sour Patch Kids may look sweet and innocent, they pack an unexpectedly sour punch. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/not-as-sweet-as… #SourPatch #Mondelez #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail @MDLZ

NEWS 📰 Employee-owned wholesaler Parfetts has brought its off-licence fascia, The Local, to Carlisle for the first time after securing a four-store deal with experienced independent retailer, Mark Duckworth. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/parfett-carlisl… #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail #Parfetts @Parfetts

NEW VIDEO 🎥 Paul chats to Sarah Romain, National Field Sales Manager at Heineken UK, about the Star Retailer scheme, helping stores get more from their beer and cider sales through face-to-face advice from brand reps, category insights, POS materials and exclusive rewards for retailers. Find out more and unlock the support available at starretailer.co.uk. #StarRetailer #Heineken #IndependentRetailers #NewVideo #Beer #Cider #CruzCampo #BirraMoretti #InchsCider @Heineken

DID YOU KNOW? 💡 SPAR has been part of UK convenience since 1956, and today there are almost 2,600 independently owned and company-owned stores across the country, employing around 40,000 people and generating more than £3 billion in turnover. SPAR UK is also part of the wider SPAR International network, the world’s largest food retail chain by store count, with more than 13,800 stores across 48 countries🌍 #DidYouKnow #SPAR #ConvenienceRetail #IndependentRetailers #CTalk @SPARintheUK @mariecurieuk

STORE OF THE WEEK 🏪 Co-op Wholesale has officially re-launched Sewell On The Go’s flagship petrol forecourt convenience store in Hull, following a major refit designed to meet the needs of today’s shoppers. Now offering a premium roadside retail experience, the store has been refitted to a high specification and carefully ranged to offer customers more than your average petrol station. A fantastic example of how convenience can go the extra mile! 👏 #StoreOfTheWeek #ConvenienceRetail #CoopWholesale #IndependentRetail @Nisahomecounty

RETAILER NEWS 🛒 A big shout out to Bisi Osundeko, owner of Go Local Junction Lane in St Helens, for supporting a local Under 9s rugby team with a Premier League football donated by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners ⚽️🏉 It’s a great example of how independent retailers can make a real difference in their communities, going beyond the till to support local young people and grassroots sport. Well done, Bisi! 👏 #RetailerNews #IndependentRetail #Community @CocaColaEP

NEWS 📰 Cadbury Crunchie is expanding into Duo formats this autumn. Available from October, Crunchie Duo brings the classic Crunchie flavour to a new format, offering shoppers an easy treat for busy, on-the-go occasions. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/cadbury-expands… #Mondelez #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail @MDLZ

NEWS 📰 The Association of Convenience Stores has called on the Government to scrap plans to introduce a tobacco-style display ban on vape and nicotine products, criticising the proposals as expensive and unnecessary. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/acs-vape-displa… #ACS #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail @ACS_LocalShops

National Crumpet Week, arguably the best week of the year, celebrates one of the nation’s favourite comfort foods. If there are days dedicated to avocados and bacon butties, we think crumpets deserve a whole week! With our expanded range, including Crumpet Thins, ‘Our Dough Crumpets and Pizza Flavour Crumpets, there’s a delicious twist for everyone. Original Crumpets – Fluffy, delicious and slightly thicker than the rest. Low in fat and perfect with a cup of tea. Crumpet Thins – The nation’s favourite crumpet, just thinner! At 61 calories, they’re quick to prepare and perfect for a snack any time of day. ‘Our Dough Crumpets – Made with sourdough for a delicious twist on the classic, with a soft texture and those all-important holes, perfect for soaking up toppings. Pizza Flavour Crumpets – A fun, family-friendly combination of crumpets and pizza. Perfect for after-school snacks, quick lunches or a savoury pick-me-up. #Warburtons #NationalCrumpetWeek #Retailers #CTalk @Warburtons

NEWS 📰 Parfetts has grown its symbol estate in the south to more than 40 stores during the first year of trading from its Southampton depot, as the wholesaler pushes further into London and the south-east. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/parfetts-southa… #Parfetts #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail @Parfetts

DID YOU KNOW? Lucozade Energy generated £395.3m in value sales over the last year, highlighting the continued growth of the energy drinks category⚡ Find more insights on the brand in this week's Did You Know 👀 #DidYouKnow #Lucozade #EnergyDrinks #CTalk @SuntoryGlobal

NEWS 📰 Research reveals how deeply local shops are woven into community life, as SPAR celebrates seven decades on the UK high street. As SPAR marks this major milestone, it celebrates being more than a shop: for many communities, it has become part of the local fabric. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/spar-celebrates… #SPAR #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail @SPARintheUK

RETAILERS: HAVE YOUR SAY 📣 The Government consultation on future rules for tobacco and vapes, including packaging, device appearance and retail display closes tomorrow. Retailers have until 11:59pm on 2nd October to complete the survey and share their views on the proposed changes. Complete the consultation survey here: consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/to… #ConvenienceRetail #Retailers #Tobacco #Vapes #RetailNews

NEWS 📰 HEINEKEN UK has reported a standout summer for its fast-growing apple cider brand, Inch’s Cider, with sales spiking across key seasonal moments including the May bank holiday weekend and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Click below to read more: c-talk.co.uk/inchs-standout-… #Retailers #CTalk #IndependentRetail #Heineken @Heineken @inchscider

NEW VIDEO 🎥 Last week, we visited Mike Nijjer’s Food & Liquor in central Birmingham, where the team hosted a fantastic in-store party to welcome students for Freshers’ Week! 🎉 The event featured a live DJ, free food, merchandise and exclusive giveaways, with brilliant support from Hyola and Dojo. Well done to Mike and the team for putting on a great event and creating a real buzz in-store! 👏 #Birmingham #Freshers #FreshersWeek #CTalk #Retailers

FEATURE STORY 🚨 The UK’s diesel market has entered unprecedented territory, with average forecourt prices hitting a record 199.18p per litre, edging ever closer to the £2-a-litre mark. Rising global oil market uncertainty, Middle East tensions and concerns over refined diesel supplies are continuing to put pressure on costs. For forecourt retailers, record pump prices bring a difficult balancing act. Rising wholesale costs and pressure on margins mean retailers must carefully manage pricing while remaining competitive and keeping customers coming through the forecourt. Read the full feature: c-talk.co.uk/record-diesel-p… #ForecourtRetailers #DieselPrices #FeatureStory

Another major hurdle is coming for retailers on 1st October, with the introduction of Vaping Products Duty and new duty stamp requirements. Paul speaks to London-based Londis retailer Nishi Patel on the challenges facing retailers, the lack of education and support from government concerning these new requirements, and how price increases will impact his customers. Watch the full interview below: youtu.be/TmD6CmQRSPA #tobaccoban #vapes #retailers #government