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
NewsCo-op Wholesale to relaunch Nisa symbol group
The new look and feel aims to bring the Nisa brand ‘closer to Co-op’
NewsCJ Lang’s ‘Spin into Spring’ campaign to drive sales and footfall with instant shopper rewards
The wholesaler, which supplies over 300 Spar stores across Scotland, said the Spin into Spring campaign will combine gamification, instant rewards and brand interaction to deliver “a fun and engaging shopping experience for customers”
NewsPremier store wipes out alcohol theft with age-verification tech
The device sits at the entrance of the ‘beer cave’ and automatically opens the door for customers who appear over 25
NewsOne Stop like-for-like sales fall 2.5%
Group revenues edged down slightly by 0.2% to £1.3bn in the year ended 22 February 2025
NewsHighland Group renews supply contract with Co-op Wholesale
Highland Group also recently converted its four sites to the wholesaler’s new ‘& Co-op’ fascia identity
NewsEast of England Co-op invests £600k to upgrade self-serve tills
East of England Co-op said the new technology improved transaction efficiency and customer satisfaction
Analysis & FeaturesHow Co-op is raising the bar with its On The Go offering
Co-op’s Altrincham outlet is tailored to the local community, with a look and a range offering what locals want. Now it’s taking its ‘current, edgy and inviting’ approach nationwide
NewsCo-op lists HMPasties in landmark deal supporting prison leaver employment
HMPasties aims to create sustainable employment for people with criminal convictions through making and selling its pasties, pies and sausage rolls, with tailored support and training
NewsCo-op presses ahead with commercial restructure after senior exits
It is seeking four new head of commercial roles, three full time and one part time, to help drive its new group commercial and logistics division
NewsMorrisons on the hunt for franchisees across the south
In moves first reported by The Telegraph, the supermarket is planning to open 250 more Morrisons Daily sites next year by offering convenience retailers the chance to convert to the franchise model
NewsOne in 10 c-stores would consider closure if Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law
It comes as the bill entered the committee stage in the House of Lords today
NewsIncidents of shop theft continue at near record levels, ONS data shows
The Office for National Statistics’ latest Crime Survey for England and Wales shows shoplifting offences rose by 13% to 530,000 for the year ending June 2025
NewsPolice raid convenience stores in organised crime clampdown
Over two days last week, officers raided more than 120 shops suspected of buying items stolen from major retailers and reselling them at discounted prices
NewsEat17 partners with retail media company to champion local and challenger brands in stores
The media screens have gone live in its Walthamstow store and will be launching in Eat17’s Hackney site next month
NewsCo-op Wholesale launches Christmas campaign to drive sales for independent retailers
The campaign will deliver two new deals each week until the end of the year on high-demand, seasonal products
NewsRetail bodies welcome progress to protect sector from theft and harm
The Crime and Policing Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords has been completed
NewsCo-op doubles paid leave for pregnancy loss to 10 days
Co-op said it was reinforcing its commitment to support colleagues through the bereavement and grief of pregnancy loss
NewsCentral Co-op cuts 8,800 tonnes of food waste thanks to markdown tech
Central Co-op has stopped 8,800 tonnes of food waste from reaching landfill over three years thanks to its partnership with markdown technology provider Retail Insight
NewsCo-op Wholesale hires former Booker director as new customer boss
The new hire brings 30 years of retail and wholesale experience
Analysis & FeaturesTikTok: which grocer is doing it best… and how?
Grocers of all shapes and size are jumping on the on-trend platform – but the battle for Gen Z eyeballs is about more than numbers