09:45 - Arrivals

10:15 - Welcome

10:30 - Tracking growth within convenience

Using the latest shopper data, Lumina Intelligence will be exploring the top-line consumer trends within the convenience market, analysing how consumers continue to engage with the channel and what convenience stores can do to deliver value to their customers.

11:00 - Creating an exciting in-store activation

Paul Stone - Oxford Road, Spar

Harj Dhasee - Morrisons Daily

How have retailers created an engaging store to attract customers in the face of a cost of living crisis and changing legislation. We hear from retailers that have evolved their stores to provide an attractive proposition for shoppers despite the introduction of legislation such as HFSS.

11:30 - Fighting back against the cost of living crisis

Surjeet Singh Notay - Notay’s Convenience Store

Sue Nithyanandan - Costcutter Epsom

Aman Uppal - One Stop Mount Nod

The cost of living crisis is hitting consumers hard but there are some categories that are thriving in face of economic uncertainty. This panel session will cover some of the categories that continue to thrive despite the cost of living crisis and examine how retailers are providing value and support to their customers, with help from suppliers.

 12:00 - The Premier Approach

Host - Sarah Britton, Convenience Store

Mandeep Singh, Singh's Premier

We sit down with Convenience Retailer of the Year 2022 Singh’s Premier,  Teynham with owner Mandeep Singh to discuss the changes he made to the store, what sets it apart from the competition and what he’s got planned for the business.

12:30 - Growing in retail

Booker's Colm Johnson and Neil Jewsbury discuss successful growth in retail in today's economic climate.

13:00 - Lunch & Networking

13:50 - Looking ahead to the new National Lottery

Host - Aidan Fortune, Convenience Store

Katharine Challinor - Director of Retail Allwyn UK

New hands are on the reins at the National Lottery following the awarding of the much sought-after licence to Allwyn UK. What does this mean for the National Lottery moving forward? What changes can retailers expect to see come February 2024? We hear from director of retail Katharine Challinor as Allwyn UK outlines its plans for the National Lottery.

14:20 - Keeping compliant:  the impact of current and future legislation  

James Lowman - ACS

James Bielby - FWD

Mo Razzaq - Premier

One of the biggest headaches for retailers is making sure they remain compliant with legislation that affects their stores. This session will look at the regulations currently affecting their businesses as well as legislation that is coming down the road that retailers need to be aware of. Our panel will be discussing how to remain compliant and what they can do to prepare, as well as looking at the impact of the Deposit Returns Scheme which is expected to be introduced to Scotland next year, covering its implementation, effect on the entire supply chain, and if the rest of the UK can learn any lessons from the process.

14:50 - Attracting and retaining staff in the convenience sector

Staff acquisition and retention is hindering growth within the convenience sector. This session will look at how the Co-op has introduced initiatives to support their staff and keep them engaged.

15:20 - Power and responsibility: The growth of the vape category

Chris Kelly - Phoenix 2 Retail

John Dunne - UKVIA

Amit Puntambekar - Ash's Shop

Trudy Davies - Woosnam & Davies News

Dee Sedani - One Stop

The vape category has exploded in the UK, driven by its presence in the convenience channel. In this session, industry experts, retailers and key brands will discuss the future of the category – if it can sustain this growth and how the battle to remain responsible could jeopardise its future success.

15:50 - Keynote: Getting closer to your customer

James Gilbert - Head of Insight - Punch Pubs

Brad Garner - Senior Insight Manager - Punch Pubs

The UK Pub market is currently worth £23.1bn with 42,519 outlets and in order to remain competitive, pubs have to innovate at pace, with customer service, loyalty and experience at the heart of their offer. There is an obvious synergy with the pub and convenience sector, with both playing a key role in local communities. We are delighted to be joined by Punch Pubs who will share their latest insight into “guests” and how they get closer to the customer.

16:30 - After Conference Drinks

Please note the programme may be subject to modifications and speakers are subject to change.