Dear Reader,

At the risk of sounding repetitive, convenience is enjoying its time in the sun. It’s a global trend too - Verdict’s new report on the European convenience market reveals why the smaller store format continues to flourish and is a focus for major retailers. There is no doubt, convenience retailers have upped their game and are setting the trends. In the UK, for example, fresh foods have become a key part of the mix - more important than confectionery, newspapers and tobacco combined. That says volumes. In the US, meanwhile, leading convenience retailer, QuikTrip, is showcasing its commitment to fresh foods in a new concept store. Visitors to the NACS Show International Tour will enjoy exclusive insight to this innovative retailer, regularly ranked by Fortune as a top employer. Back in the UK, one of our home-grown convenience and forecourt companies, Sewell Group, has shot up the rankings in a ‘best to companies to work for’ league. View our exclusive interview with Sewell Retail managing director, Patrick Sewell. Spar is also ahead of the curve with plans to fit doors on chillers in 40 stores in the north of England.

If you run a leading convenience format, this is your last chance to enter the 2010 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award and showcase your talents to readers of Global Convenience Store Focus. The closing date for entries is 16 July. Good Luck.

Fiona Briggs, Editor, Global Convenience Store Focus

Retail News

• Video exclusive: Hull forecourt retailer rockets up Best Companies to Work for rankings
• European convenience stores outpace market, reports Verdict
• Australia’s convenience market: the low down from down under
• NACS Show bundles Bush, American football and QuikTrip stores
• QuikTrip opens new concept store
• Final call for entries in 2010 International Convenience Retailer Award
• Spar to put doors on chiller cabinets
• Insight sells out expanded Expo at Future of Convenience 2010 London event
• UK shoppers trade up to premium labels, reports Kantar
• The Checkout report: latest US shopper trends
• Rutter’s to open green forecourt

Research

• Convenience stores grow fresh food sales to almost a third
• UK high street sales fall for second month, reports CBI
• Americans miss out on fibre, claims new report

Comment and opinion

• Sharon’s convenience store report
• Jed Brewer’s economic forecast

Technology

• Spar to roll out contactless payment in the UK

Products

• Co-operative re-launches healthy own label range

Products and events

• Insight and NACS promise packed second half