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
NewsCentral Co-op and Midcounties Co-op members approve merger
In the coming days members will vote on a new legal name for the society
NewsACS welcomes ‘Winter of Action’ to tackle crime in town centres
The initiative will see officers using hotspot patrols, backed by swift and visible enforcement
NewsMFG partners with SpotlessWater to roll out pure water stations
The deal will see SpotlessWater install its 24/7 self-service pure water stations across select MFG forecourts
NewsMorrisons showcases British farming links in new franchise roadshow series
The initiative aims to give retailers a first-hand view of Morrisons’ supply chain across Myton Food Group sites
NewsTout’s renews partnership with Co-op Wholesale
Tout’s, which operates three forecourts across Somerset and Bristol, said renewing its long-term agreement meant it could prepare for opening more convenience-led forecourt sites
NewsEuroMillions jackpots and digital channels lift Allwyn’s UK lottery revenues
In its Q3 trading update, the parent company of the National Lottery operator said the UK’s steady growth was also driven by its digital channel, such as interactive instant win games, and targeted promotional and marketing activity
NewsCo-op pledges £1bn to cut prices and support UK economy
The society said it would channel £1bn into the UK economy over the next 12 months to support consumers, businesses and high streets
NewsAsda boosts Express stores with supermarket prices and exclusive deals
It comes as Asda kickstarted the next rollout of its Express convenience stores in October, with up to 20 new locations planned by the end of the year
NewsPret a Manger to pull Express coffee machines out of retail sector
The decision to withdraw its branded machines from the coffee-to-go sector will come into effect from February next year
NewsDCS bolsters leadership team as new food division takes off
A news sales director and business unit controller for food and wholesale have joined the business
NewsEG On The Move triples Iceland concessions as frozen range drives 11% sales uplift
A 10-store pilot has been extended to 28 stores
NewsPremier reaches 5,000th-store milestone
Premier said the ‘landmark moment’ celebrated over 30 years of growth, innovation, and support for independent retailers
NewsCo-op pledges £70m to create 7,000 apprenticeships by 2030
The new £70m target comes as apprenticeship starts have dropped 31% since the government introduced the apprentice levy in 2017
NewsTime running out for postmasters to claim Horizon compensation, law firm warns
A partner at law firm Schofield Sweeney said there were still a significant number of postmasters who had not made a claim, or received fair compensation
NewsCJ Lang sales up £2m thanks to focus on food to go and value
The Scottish Spar wholesaler said it showed resilience despite ‘one of the most challenging trading environments in recent memory’
NewsAF Blakemore hires former Co-op Wholesale retail lead
He will start on 29 December, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the retail and convenience sector
NewsAF Blakemore ramps up supply chain investment to support M&S deal
AF Blakemore was appointed in August to supply M&S with ambient and chilled lines
NewsSelect & Save eyes 70% store growth thanks to Booker deal and refreshed brand
Select & Save plans to reach 150 stores by the end of 2026, with 18 already in the pipeline
NewsNearly three in four retail workers still facing abuse despite slight decline
According to trade union Usdaw’s annual crime survey, 71% of shopworkers experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months
NewsCo-op to open 50 new stores before Christmas as it calls for business rates reform
The openings will take Co-op’s store investment over the past year to more than £200m