Giles Blair

Glasgow

Contributor at Ayrshire Post

Writer at Scottish Daily Record

Editor at Scottish Grocer & Convenience Retailer

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Articles

MHouse explains benefits of AI investment

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

This article contains sponsored content. INVESTING in AI solutions across your store could be a key way to ensure some savings during this latest financial strain. While it comes with an initial spend that could lead to some hesitancy, the right AI solutions in store can help to reduce waste and save on time for many store owners, which could lead to a stronger, more resilient business.
Scottish food and drink industry brings £5.2billion to table

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

FOOD and drink production contributes £5.2billion to the Scottish economy and provides 47,000 jobs, according to a report. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) findings also revealed the sector has grown by 36.5% over a decade and accounts for almost a third of Scotland’s manufacturing turnover. FDF Scotland chief exec David Thomson is calling for the Scottish Government to prioritise further growth to protect the nation’s food security and ensure the sector can continue to drive the economy.
UWS sets out bold vision for the future

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

BOSSES at United Wholesale Scotland (UWS) have revealed their ambitious plans to grow the business and become the perfect partner for its retailers and suppliers. The major aim is to see turnover rise to £500million by 2030 – up from about £300million at the end of 2024. A key part to achieving that will be a focus on its Day-Today and USave symbol store retailers as well as enhancing the UWS proposition for independent operators.
Retailers take a stand against bigotry

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

A RETAILER who suffered a miscarriage around the time she was opening her first c-store says she was told it was “probably for the best” by her male business development manager. Nathalie Fullerton spoke of the shocking remark at the first Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) Diversity & Inclusion Conference, held at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow last month.
Market news | Bebeto, Robinsons, Florette, Fridge Raiders, Fairfields Farm

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

HALAL-CERTIFIED sweets brand Bebeto has expanded on its range with the new Forest Fruits treats. This indulgent sweet delivers a burst of fruity flavour with a gooey strawberry centre wrapped in a soft, foam-backed gummy. Available in three vibrant flavours – Cherry, Strawberry and Raspberry – the new confectionery comes in a 130g hanging bag format with an RRP of £1 per pack. All three are halal and free from artificial colours and flavours.
Benefits of Diversity & Inclusion highlighted

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

CONVENIENCE retailers heard shocking stories of racist and sexist abuse as well as uplifting tales of compassion for those in challenging circumstances at the inaugural Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Conference. As well as learning of real-life experiences, store bosses and staff were given important insights, information and advice on how to ensure their businesses benefited from embracing a diverse and inclusive culture.
Convenience in Brief | HLP, SRC, CJ Lang

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

THE SGF Healthy Living Programme (HLP) team has had a successful and insightful trip to Fort William and Skye – engaging with 618 pupils at seven schools and signing up five new island retailers to the programme. On Skye, where the team held a Welby Big Breakfast event hosted by Armadale stores, they were surprised to find many of the children had similar eating habits to mainland youngsters, where not enough fruit and veg was in their diets.
The SGF template email or letter from retailers to MSPs

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

[Your name and address/email][Full name of MSP] MSP[Address/email of MSP][date] 2025Dear [First name of MSP],Impact of retail crime and the cost of doing business for local shopsI am writing to you as our MSP and local representative of our convenience store at [name and address of the store]. As a local store operator, we are at the heart of our community, and we want to see it thrive.
Retailer letter campaign targets MSPs

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

SCOTTISH c-store retailers are being urged to invite their MSPs to their shops – to show the true effects of crime and soaring business costs on the sector. The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has emailed its members a templated letter/email to send to their Holyrood representatives in a nationwide campaign launched today (28 April, 2025). The initiative is fully backed by Scottish Grocer and you can find a link here to take you to an online copy of the letter.
Co-op Wholesale off to a flying start

1 month ago | scottishgrocer.co.uk | Giles Blair

THE new Co-op Wholesale business – the recently rebranded Nisa group – has wasted no time in demonstrating its commitment to the independent retail sector while targeting other growth opportunities. An £800,000 investment into key Co-op own-brand lines and a new multi-year deal with Roadchef shows the relaunched firm is already putting its money where its mouth is.