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10 ASIAN TRADER 3 NOVEMBER 2023
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The Scottish Grocers’ Federa-
tion’s Scottish Local Shop
Report 2023 put the spotlight
on the retail market in Scotland,
showing the substantial
contribution of the conveni-
ence retail sector to the Scottish
Economy and the lifeline
services many local shops
provide for their communities
across Scotland, all in the midst
of a very challenging time for
many homes and businesses.
The latest figures show a
welcome increase in the
number of convenience stores
over the past year, up 73, to 5171
in 2023, accounting for over
49,000 jobs across Scotland.
“Despite very difficult and
challenging circumstances for
many in convenience retail, the
contribution of convenience
stores and retail over the past
few years cannot be overstated,”
said SGF chief executive Pete
Cheema OBE. “Staff and local
shop owners across Scotland
have continued to play an
essential role in both the
Scottish Economy and for
people in their communities.
“Once again, the informa-
tion gathered in the report
clearly makes the case for
targeted support from govern-
ment for our industry. So that
we can continue to deliver for
our local economies and
communities.”
Compiled in collaboration
with the Association of
Convenience Stores, the Local
Shop Report has revealed the
enormous contribution that
convenience stores in Scotland
make to people’s lives, not just
as essential grocery businesses,
but as job creators, community
hubs and beacons of entrepre-
neurship.
Across the UK, the conveni-
ence sector contributed more
than £10.6 billion in Gross Value
Added and over £9.1 billion in
taxes, in 2022/23, with 70% of
stores run by independent
retailers, either entirely
unaffiliated or as part of a
symbol group.
Praise from report released at Glagow conference
SGF report underlines
SGF report underlines
essential role of c-stores
essential role of c-stores
Swiss giant Nestlé plans to
close a baby food factory,
and an adjacent research
and development (R&D)
facility in southwest
Ireland with the expected
loss of around 542 jobs.
The Swiss group plans to
shutter the plant in
Askeaton by early 2026,
and the co-located R&D
centre by early 2025, said a
Nestle spokesperson in a
statement sent to AFP.
“Regrettably, today’s
announcement means
approximately 542 col-
leagues will be placed at risk
of redundancy,” said the
statement.
The Askeaton facilities,
which are 222 kilometres
southwest of Dublin, were
part of Nestle’s acquisition of
Pfizer Nutrition in 2012, and
operate as Wyeth Nutrition-
als Ireland Ltd.
The factory, whose
products are exclusively
exported to China and
wider Asia, currently
employs 491, with 51
employed at R&D centre.
“External trends have
significantly impacted
demand for infant nutri-
tion products in the
Greater China region,”
according to the statement.
“The number of new-born
babies in China has declined
sharply from 18 million per
year in 2016 to fewer than 9
million projected in 2023.”
Production will be shifted
to existing plants in Switzer-
land and China.
Nestlé to close Ireland
facilities – 542 job losses
Retailer social media
Retailer social media
from Booker
from Booker
Booker has introduced an innova-
tive solution to assist retailers in
effectively managing their social
media presence.
SocioConnect is designed as a
user-friendly app that enables
retailers to handle their social media
content across various popular
platforms from a single platform.
Store managers can easily register
and download the app to their
phones or desktops, free of charge.
With the app, retailers can track the
performance of every post,
enabling them to determine the
most successful content and
optimize future posts for maximum
reach and engagement.
Rat-infested cash & carry
Rat-infested cash & carry
fined £66k
fined £66k
Krishna Cash & Carry was fined at
Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court after
breaching hygiene conditions
following a rat infestation.
According to Hillingon Council,
company director, Santhirasegaram
Ketheeswaran, had admitted five
breaches of food hygiene regulations.
The council team discovered dirt,
food debris, flies and rat droppings,
and the structure was in such a state of
disrepair that multiple holes allowed
rats to freely enter the business.
A dead rat was found under a
pallet of rice bags and electrical
sockets behind freezers were hanging
off the wall.
Premier Exports London
Premier Exports London
joins Unitas
joins Unitas
Formerly a Sugro member, Premier
Exports London is a delivered
wholesaler supplying over 550
international customers (95%
retailers) with grocery, confection-
ery and ambient products. The
business operates from a 23,000 sq
ft depot with a turnover of £47
million in the past financial year.
“We are delighted that Premier
Exports London has decided that
Unitas is the place to now grow their
business and take it to the next
level,” said Unitas Wholesale MD
John Kinney.
The new recruit takes Unitas
Wholesale’s total membership to
155 businesses.