Tobacco sales up

Sales of tobacco have grown 6% y-o-y in Scottish Spars despite the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces north of the border, according to Liz Aked, tobacco buyer.

Self-checkout units

Ireland's Superquinn is rolling out self-checkout units as part of an ongoing revamp. The company will place 78 units in 19 stores in Dublin and the surrounding suburbs by the end of March after signing a contract with NCR Corporation.

Asda local thrives

Suppliers of local food to 20 Asdas in the north east have achieved record sales this Christmas. Sales of 70 product lines supplied by 28 companies are exceeding £30,000 a week compared with £25,000 this time last year.