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
NewsBooker appoints Stuart Hyslop as chief operations officer
Hyslop is taking over from Jonny McQuarrie, who left the business in June
Analysis & FeaturesWhat’s changing in Co-op’s restructure and how will it help?
As the Co-op establishes a group commercial and logistics division, its leader Matt Hood is looking to underline its supplier credentials
NewsCo-op and Barnardo’s urge food retailers to extend loyalty schemes to under-18s
Co-op is currently the only national UK food retailer to offer 16 and 17-year-olds independent access to benefits as part of its membership proposition
NewsAllwyn opens nominations for Local Retail Champions 2025
There are two national and 16 regional awards up for grabs, which involve £15,000 and £5,000 cash prizes respectively
NewsACS urges Chancellor to reduce business rates burden to help c-stores invest
The ACS has outlined the challenges facing the convenience sector as a result of increased costs of employment and the rising burden of business rates
NewsAF Blakemore hires new chief commercial officer
The new hire has joined the Spar wholesaler from Poundland & Dealz, where she was responsible for the commercial, marketing and digital functions
NewsParfetts readies for symbol expansion as it opens ninth depot, in Southampton
The new Southampton cash & carry depot opened this week, marking a new geographical territory for the wholesaler
NewsACS CEO James Lowman to step down next year
Lowman initially joined ACS in March 1997 ahead of his appointment as CEO in November 2006
NewsMidcounties Co-op celebrates 20th anniversary with member deals and discounts
The society, which is one of the UK’s largest independent co-operatives, said the milestone marked two decades of growth, innovation and community impact
NewsCo-op shakes up leadership teams to accelerate growth and buying powers
Co-op said its new commercial and logistics division would be ‘a cornerstone of our strategy’
NewsAsda shakes up convenience leadership team
Asda’s chief supply chain officer David Lepley will take direct responsibility for the Asda Express division
NewsCo-op Wholesale renews tie-up with Griffiths Forecourts for five more years
The wholesaler has been supplying Griffiths, which runs three Nisa Local stores in Llantwit Fardre, Bridgend and Miskin, for over 10 years
NewsCo-op Wholesale cuts fuel levy for Northern Ireland retailers
The move follows the wholesaler’s decision to ditch the fuel levy for retailers operating across England, Scotland and Wales in January
NewsEconomic headwinds hammering convenience sales, investment and jobs, says ACS
The trade body’s 2025 Local Shop Report, published today, showed the total projected sales this year had fallen
NewsShop theft in Scotland up 17% in the past year
The SGF is calling for long-term support to help Police Scotland tackle the deluge of shop theft
NewsAsda Express expansion resumes with up to 20 store openings in October
The 20 new stores will add to the nine Express sites that Asda already operates
NewsSnappy Shopper launches 24/7 delivery feature for convenience retailers
The new service offers dynamic pricing, giving retailers the option to apply a surcharge on out-of-hours orders, as well as operational flexibility
NewsGreens Retail launches foodservice concept store ‘Greens on the Go’
Greens Retail said it marked a ‘clear shift’ from traditional convenience towards an almost entirely food for now and food for later proposition
NewsCo-op boosts health offer with Holland & Barrett range
Co-op has created ‘Health and Wellness’ bays to support Holland & Barrett’s range
NewsSewell On The Go switches supply from Londis to Co-op Wholesale
Co-op Wholesale has signed a five-year deal to supply Sewell On The Go’s 12-strong convenience stores