Alice Leader
Alice is the senior wholesale & convenience reporter. She covers major players in the sector including Booker, Bestway, and Co-op Wholesale, along with their associated symbol groups such as Premier, Costcutter, and Nisa.
Her remit also includes the Co-op Group and independent co-operative societies like Southern Co-op and Central Co-op, offering comprehensive coverage of the UK's diverse convenience landscape.
In addition, Alice tracks key services that shape the sector, including the Post Office, National Lottery, and home delivery, as well as the increasingly urgent issue of retail crime.
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 846503
- Email:
- alice.leader@thegrocer.co.uk
NewsONS data shows shop theft in England and Wales down 1%
The Office for National Statistics recorded 509,566 offences in the year ending December 2025, down from 516,611 the previous year
NewsTackle illicit traders urgently, ACS urges government
The trade body said rogue traders operating through pop-up shops, mini marts and barber shops were continuing to sell a broad range of stolen, illicit and dangerous products to communities
NewsSouthern Co-op warns of insolvency without merger
If members vote ‘no’, Southern Co-op said an external administrator would be appointed
NewsCo-op Wholesale debuts revamped trade show one year on from Nisa rebrand
More than 100 suppliers exhibited their products, which collectively offered 300 on-the-day exclusive deals for attending retailers
NewsBooker regional managers to work with multiple fascias in shake-up
The wholesale giant has combined the retail sales teams for its symbol groups, doing away with a split between Premier and Family Shopper, and Budgens and Londis
NewsHigh Court rejects TNLC challenge to National Lottery licence award
The companies, owned by media tycoon Richard Desmond, had challenged the ‘fairness and integrity’ of the competition process for granting the fourth 10-year lottery licence to Allwyn
NewsIllicit tobacco trade tops ACS poll of biggest convenience threats
The ACS asked 450 attendees at its conference at The Vox in Birmingham last week to name their biggest competitive threat and 43% answered illicit trade, compared with 42% choosing the discounters
NewsCo-op pauses recruitment for next Apiary incubator cohort
Co-op has put plans for the next intake of its Apiary incubator programme on ice, shelving a key route to market for new small food brands
News‘We have to be twice as loud’: women leaders speak out on barriers in convenience
At the National Convenience Show at the NEC in Birmingham this week, a group of women leaders discussed the obstacles they had faced as they navigated a challenging convenience sector
NewsAllwyn doubles Lotto win chances in 'biggest shake-up yet'
From 7 June, every £2 Lotto ticket will give players two chances to win instead of one
NewsHeart of England Co-op rolls out tech to manage bakery and food to go production
The tech shows staff what items to bake and when to make them, supported with preparation instructions on tablet devices
NewsForecourt staff face spike in abuse as pump prices rise
Bristol, Newcastle and Leeds saw the highest increases in incidents
Comment & OpinionWhy the Co‑op merger matters – and the timing speaks volumes
Co-op has faced a whirlwind of problems recently, but the merger isn’t necessarily a knee-jerk reaction
NewsCo-op Group and Southern Co-op to join forces in landmark merger
The boards of Co-op Group and Southern Co-op have proposed to join forces in a landmark merger
NewsLA Foods extends contract with Co-op Wholesale for five more years
The convenience retailer, which operates 13 Nisa stores across London, said the extension meant it could continue benefiting from Co-op Wholesale’s competitive pricing, availability, and own-brand range
NewsPost Office unveils ‘most significant boost’ in postmaster pay in years
The remuneration restructure forms part of its New Deal for Postmasters
NewsSnappy Technologies rolls out system to unify delivery marketplaces
Snappy Technologies is now available to the convenience sector after an initial trial with Southern Co-op and Heart of England Co-op last year
Analysis & FeaturesIs the co-operative society movement still working in retail?
The Co-op Group has taken a battering, while a recent merger has created the UK’s biggest independent society. What does this say about the 182-year-old co-op movement and its future in UK retail?
NewsConvenience retailers offered new tool to access and trial startup brands
Discovery Stand provides retailers with five new startup brands every month via a freestanding display unit in stores
NewsSupermarkets poised to win fuel spend as drivers become more price‑conscious
Lumina Intelligence revealed 49% of motorists chose supermarkets as their preferred forecourt