Dear Reader,

We are delighted to bring you a bumper Christmas edition of Global Convenience Store Focus, packed with exclusive video footage from convenience retailers and store formats around the world.

Read about the filming for our video of Spar China, the winner of our International Convenience Retailer 2009 Award, in Dan's 'Journey to Dongguan City'.

In the third part of our project exploring challenges in the global tobacco category, listen to the video interviews with leading industry executives and discover the best-practice solutions under tobacco display bans.

We also highlight Insight's new South Africa store tour in our Products and Events section and feature free video footage from Tesco Fresh & Easy in the US plus an interview with Steve Ryder, the format's store design and planning director.

I round up my favourite new formats from the last 12 months in my Editor's Choice column and we feature two of the runners up from the International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award: Centra Parnell Street in Dublin, Ireland; and FairPrice Xpress in Singapore.

Celebrating convenience at Christmas couldn't be more convenient.

Fiona Briggs, Editor

C-TV

Spar China
Tesco Fresh & Easy Special Feature
Industry leaders on key challenges in the tobacco category
Dealing with display bans: solutions and support
Insight launches global tobacco category resource centre

Retail News

Editor’s choice
FairPrice Xpress leads convenience development in Singapore
Centra Parnell Street, Dublin, demonstrates excellent in-store execution
Petrochina expands uSmile convenience brand
Own label gains prominence in US
Tesco grows share for the first time in two years

Research

Can the convenience sector win in a recession? New feature: Him! interview
UK consumers will still splash out at Christmas, says Mintel
Salty snack sales grow in US during downturn
Swine flu drives over-the-counter medicine sales in northern hemisphere, reports Mintel
Health trend grows in UAE and Saudi Arabia
Britain’s thirst for bottled water returns with consumer confidence
Private labels threaten brands in India

Comment and opinion

Sharon’s convenience store report

Technology

Shell forecourt pilots flexible pricing in the Netherlands

Products & events

Insight South Africa Retail Study Tour
Insight launches grocery equipment and technology event
NACS Show highlights international flair