Retailers are continuing to back Camelot despite ongoing demands for greater margins on ticket sales, according to The Grocer’s reader panel survey.
The poll of independent retailers shows that at least two thirds of independent retailers are happy with the National Lottery operator’s service and believe a ticket terminal brings extra footfall into their stores.
Three quarters of respondents said they were not affected by the changes to the sales targets set by Camelot, where minimum weekly sales requirements will drop to £1,000 from £1,400 (The Grocer, July 30, p8).
However, one in four admitted they were breathing a sigh of relief that their terminals were no longer under threat of being removed. Retailers who have been refused terminals in the past also welcomed Camelot’s announcement that applications will now be reviewed every 12 weeks, as opposed to every year.
Nevertheless, many retailers felt that Camelot could improve its telephone system. “It has a fantastic set up and once you get through your problem is sorted out immediately,” said one retailer in Leeds. “But going through all the recorded options each time is very annoying.”
Most respondents said they did not have much of a problem with underage shoppers trying to buy tickets. “We have more trouble with kids trying to buy booze and fags than Lottery tickets,” said another retailer.
>>p27 Lottery win for retailers
Tesco has rubbished reports that it is planning to open the UK’s first cashless store. Reports had suggested that the retailer was discussing running stores where customers would only be able to pay with credit and debit cards. However, a spokeswoman for Tesco said it was “definitely not true”.
Specialist confectionery wholesaler Hammond Cash and Carry has relocated from Thrapston, Northamptonshire, to a 6,500 sq ft depot in Barnack Business Park. This follows its takeover by Barnack UK in June last year.
Glisten, the confectionary, snack foods and specialist ingredients group, has revealed that it is on the look-out for further acquisitions to grow its business. Glisten reported a 68% increase in pre-tax profits to £3.02m and a 99% increase in turnover to £41.2m.
National Savings & Investments has teamed up with Tesco to sell Premium Bonds in its stores. Alan Cook, chief executive of NS&I, said a pilot scheme involving 50 stores will be in operation by the end of the year and if successful will be rolled out to 500 stores early next year.
Property developer Helical Bar has temporarily withdrawn its planning application for a 78,988 sq ft supermarket in Epsom, Surrey. An Epsom and Ewell Borough Council spokeswoman said this was to allow the developer more time to work on its application.
An increase in non-food product recalls is expected when the General Product Safety Regulations comes into effect next month. Companies will be required to notify Trading Standards when they have recalled an unsafe product.
No cashless stores
Hammond moves
Glisten profits up
premium bond deal
temporary halt
recalls to increase
The poll of independent retailers shows that at least two thirds of independent retailers are happy with the National Lottery operator’s service and believe a ticket terminal brings extra footfall into their stores.
Three quarters of respondents said they were not affected by the changes to the sales targets set by Camelot, where minimum weekly sales requirements will drop to £1,000 from £1,400 (The Grocer, July 30, p8).
However, one in four admitted they were breathing a sigh of relief that their terminals were no longer under threat of being removed. Retailers who have been refused terminals in the past also welcomed Camelot’s announcement that applications will now be reviewed every 12 weeks, as opposed to every year.
Nevertheless, many retailers felt that Camelot could improve its telephone system. “It has a fantastic set up and once you get through your problem is sorted out immediately,” said one retailer in Leeds. “But going through all the recorded options each time is very annoying.”
Most respondents said they did not have much of a problem with underage shoppers trying to buy tickets. “We have more trouble with kids trying to buy booze and fags than Lottery tickets,” said another retailer.
>>p27 Lottery win for retailers
Tesco has rubbished reports that it is planning to open the UK’s first cashless store. Reports had suggested that the retailer was discussing running stores where customers would only be able to pay with credit and debit cards. However, a spokeswoman for Tesco said it was “definitely not true”.
Specialist confectionery wholesaler Hammond Cash and Carry has relocated from Thrapston, Northamptonshire, to a 6,500 sq ft depot in Barnack Business Park. This follows its takeover by Barnack UK in June last year.
Glisten, the confectionary, snack foods and specialist ingredients group, has revealed that it is on the look-out for further acquisitions to grow its business. Glisten reported a 68% increase in pre-tax profits to £3.02m and a 99% increase in turnover to £41.2m.
National Savings & Investments has teamed up with Tesco to sell Premium Bonds in its stores. Alan Cook, chief executive of NS&I, said a pilot scheme involving 50 stores will be in operation by the end of the year and if successful will be rolled out to 500 stores early next year.
Property developer Helical Bar has temporarily withdrawn its planning application for a 78,988 sq ft supermarket in Epsom, Surrey. An Epsom and Ewell Borough Council spokeswoman said this was to allow the developer more time to work on its application.
An increase in non-food product recalls is expected when the General Product Safety Regulations comes into effect next month. Companies will be required to notify Trading Standards when they have recalled an unsafe product.
No cashless stores
Hammond moves
Glisten profits up
premium bond deal
temporary halt
recalls to increase
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