The ‘Blue Zones’ Diet: What is it and should retailers invest?

The ‘Blue Zones’ Diet: What is it and should retailers invest? - Blue Zone Diets

The Blue Zones diet focuses on following a mostly plant-based diet, with an added emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods, moderate protein intake, and minimal red meat consumption.

It emphasises fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, nuts and wholegrains, while recommending limiting dairy and added sugar.

The interesting part is there’s no one single Blue Zone diet. The term ‘Blue Zones’ originated from a National Geographic expedition. It sought to “uncover the secrets of longevity” in five places around the world where people often lived to more than 100 years old, without disease or declining health conditions, such as obesity or cancer.

These five areas are Okinawa, Japan; Nuoro Province, Sardinia; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California.

UK consumers are becoming increasingly keen to uncover the secrets of longevity and find out what they can apply to their diets. Google Trends data shows the number of UK-based searches for ‘blue zone diet’ began to grow in 2023, now sitting at its highest recorded level.

While a dedicated ‘Blue Zone’ display might not suit every convenience store, retailers report observing related trends among their shoppers. There’s an increased demand for products relating to plant-based diets and a healthy protein intake, and shoppers are looking for more unprocessed foods than ever before.

How is the Blue Zones diet followed in different areas?

A Blue Zones diet is different in each of the five areas:

Convenience store owners say their shoppers, particularly younger ones, are shopping with a health-conscious mindset and are looking to their local stores to support their healthier eating habits.

“Health-conscious shopping is already a huge driver for our sales and profits,” says Nishi Patel, owner of two Londis stores in Kent. “Retailers need to be active and try new things, even if they’re slow in the beginning.”

How can you profit from Blue Zones thinking in your store?

Break it down to its core values. The Blue Zones diet is made up of largely plant-based items, protein, eggs and dairy.

The good news is that most retailers are already equipped for this.

“Protein is now a key focus in our store, and customers are increasingly aware of its impact on their overall health,” Patel explains.

He has been experimenting with different protein lines and says offering high-protein meal options is an effective way to appeal to shoppers with health goals. This is because typically, high-protein meals are lower in calories.

This trend is also echoed by Vidur Pandya, owner of Kislingbury Mini Market & Post Office in Northamptonshire, but adds that he’s seen an increased demand for fresh produce, ‘cleaner’ ingredients and scratch cooking.

“Protein will influence our thinking when considering which healthier lines to invest in this year, but the Blue Zones diet is an interest in terms of the aspects that comprise it,” he says.   

The rise of unprocessed foods – and who’s buying it

Processed products are a staple in British diets, with more than half of our calories coming from these foods. However, consumer concern about them is growing and while Brits remain less likely to be cutting down on them compared to their continental European counterparts, a third are planning to.

This increased awareness about the benefits of unprocessed foods could largely be attributed to social media’s role in educating consumers about potentially harmful ingredients.

Patel says as a result, it’s mainly Gen Z and Millennial consumers who would try a Blue Zones diet.

“Healthier diets used to be exclusively for gym-goers, but now Gen Z are buying more unprocessed and high-protein foods. They’re the health-conscious generation, and they’re looking at the ingredients in food now,” he says.

For retailers, this means stocking a broad range of fresh fruit and veg. As a value option, frozen fruit and veg are also strong alternatives as they’re frozen soon after picking.

If you’re looking to increase the amount of unprocessed food you offer, it might be worth considering whole foods, or looking for products that have fewer ingredients, which is what Pandya has noticed his customers doing.

“They’ll pick up a product and actively look at the ingredients,” he says. “They’re looking at how many E-numbers are present or for ingredients that they’ve not heard of before. Shoppers are more aware and educated than ever before.”

Interestingly, the demographics purchasing Blue Zones-adjacent products vary. While it’s Gen Z for Patel, Pandya says it’s mainly women and the older generations buying these products.

“We haven’t seen anyone younger than 25 looking at these diets,” he says. “Yes, they’ve been trying to be healthier, but for a Blue Zones diet specifically, it’s more women and the 35-55 demographic.”

Is there a future for the Blue Zones diet in the UK?

“These types of diets are on the rise, and as mainstream media picks up on it, more will choose to follow it,” Pandya says.

Pandya adds that he’s seeing related products hit the market, and says there’s good demand for retailers to get involved early.

Patel echoes this and adds, “It’s already here for us. We introduced ginger shots and other functional benefit drinks, and they’ve flown off the shelf. Yes, sales were a little slow at first, but they swiftly picked up.”

Get ahead of the curve by introducing a selection of lines that can appeal to consumers looking for healthier diets, which is where we come in.

Top tips for Blue Zones retailing

The Changing Face of Protein

The Changing Face of Protein - Changing Face Of Protein

Each year, more customers become aware of the benefits of adding extra protein to their diets. More than half of UK consumers are seeking to up their intake of this important nutrient to assist with their fitness and lifestyle goals.

It’s not a new craze, however. Its roots can be traced back to the 1960s when carbs and fat became the enemy of fitness discourse. But the latest iteration has been spurred on by the rise of fitness influencers and an increased focus on self-image brought in by social media.

Analysts point to the mid-2010s as the genesis of the modern protein trend, when brands like Grenade entered mainstream retail in higher volumes and household names such as Warburtons, Batchelors, and Weetabix launched options with ‘Protein’ in big bold letters on the front of packs.

Unsurprisingly, Google searches for protein spike every January and have done so for over a decade, but 2025 was the biggest month on record, indicating that this trend is not going away any time soon.

But what was a relevant protein range in 2016 might not be relevant for your shoppers now. The category is constantly changing as consumers’ understanding of what nutrients they need to succeed evolves. 

Here, we look at the strategies and products that can maximise your protein sales throughout this summer and beyond.

When do Protein Sales Spike?

The Changing Face of Protein - When do Protein Sales Spike

As protein is associated with better fitness, Amy Bullen, manager of Costcutter Epsom in Surrey, says June and July are prime times for higher sales.

She says: “Some shoppers aim to lose a little weight or get healthier ahead of peak summertime, so we notice sales pick up. Our customers will choose a bar or shake over buying chocolate during this time, for example.”

Retailers should make sure they have a more prominent protein display in place from May. You should even consider reaching out to suppliers or your wholesaler for PoS materials to make it really stand out.

What are the Must-Stock Protein Brands?

The Changing Face of Protein - Must Stock Protein Brands

There is one protein brand sweeping convenience stores and that’s Huel. The product is bucking the value trend, which is otherwise shaping the category.

“We stock Huel for £4 and customers continue to buy it,” Bullen says. “I think people are willing to spend more when it comes to their health.”

Huel claims it contains all the essential nutrients that are needed by the body, with each bottle featuring a balanced amount of carbs, fibre and protein. It also contains 26 essential vitamins and minerals.

Bullen stocks Huel Vanilla and Chocolate in the white variety but also stocks the same flavours in the Black range, which contains a higher amount of protein per bottle.

Justin Whittaker, owner of MJ’s Premier in Royston, Greater Manchester, has had similar success, despite being in a price-sensitive area.

“Our wholesaler has been doing a real push on Huel lately, and while some customers are led by price, we have gym goers who will have money dedicated to these protein products,” he explains.

Whittaker also claims shoppers are replacing meals with Huel, especially if they have health targets.

Outside of Huel, some will want to make drinks at home, so consider introducing a small range of protein powders. This is a great way to indicate to gym goers that you are committed to stocking a credible range.

How Can We Help?

Here at Epicurium, we stock a wide range of protein options that we believe will thrive in the warmer months:

Classic Protein snacks will also be in high demand this summer:

Need a hand to create a protein range that’s fit for the future? Get in touch with us for advice and support.

Maximise Summer Profits: The Best-Selling Products Needed in 2025

Maximise Summer Profits: The Best-Selling Products Needed in 2025 - Summer Best Selling Products

Discover the products driving summer sales, plus tips on maximising profits for your store!

At Epicurium, we’ve analysed last summer’s top-performing products to help you maximise sales in 2025. Here’s what we found.

Biggest summer snacks growth

Graze, Forest Feast, Love Corn and Waf*Fulls are just some of the lines that experienced ordering hikes last summer.

Love Corn is the biggest seller out of these four for Jack Matthews, owner of Bradley’s Supermarket in Quorn, Leicestershire.

“We recently shuffled our protein products and healthier lines, including Love Corn, and have moved them towards the till. Sales increased almost straight away,” he says.

“Typically, these are bought by younger adults who are a bit more health-conscious.”

But the possible hidden gem is Waf*Fulls. The unique combination of fluffy cake textures in a waffle shape increased by more than 539% in Q3 vs Q2 in 2024. It is a great contender for on-the-go, packed lunches or an afternoon pick-me-up with any in-store coffee machine.

Here at Epicurium, retailers can stock six varieties: Apple, Choco Hazelnut, Double Choc, Salted Caramel, Strawberry and Vanilla.

Elsewhere, retailers who stocked Forest Feast saw a remarkable 123% uplift, while Love Corn and Graze continued their summer growth trend with triple-digit increases.

Maximise Summer Profits: The Best-Selling Products Needed in 2025 - Best Selling Summer Drinks

Added benefit drinks are on the rise

Summer sales growth in soft drinks is clear in every store, with huge uplifts possible with the right display and ranging principles. While the focus for retailers is, of course, core brands, summer is a great time to appeal to different customers with alternative products, especially ones that particularly thrive in the warmer months.

Our data, for example, shows that last year orders of Warrior and VitHit jumped by +36% and +40% respectively. Across Q2 and Q3 in 2024, both brands had strong and consistent rises.

VitHit is a unique blend of water, juice, tea and vitamins, and contains less than 25 calories per bottle. At Epicurium, we have a wide range of their bottles and cans to choose from including Apple & Elderflower Lean & Green to Sparkling Mango & Passionfruit flavours.

While VitHit is for the broadly health-conscious consumer, Warrior is a high-performance protein product with gym goers and athletes at its heart. Available in two flavours, Berry and Tropical, Warrior Protein Water contains 10g of protein and has less than 50 calories.

For Jack Matthews, his recent winner from our range is Applied Nutrition.

“Added benefit products are increasing across the board, and we decided to test the waters with Applied Nutrition, which we sourced from Epicurium Wholesale,” he explains.

“It’s become quite a big feature in our chillers. We stock all five varieties available, but Elevate is the big one for us.”

Matthews added that the increased demand behind these drinks is thanks to the younger generation. He says that more and more young people are transitioning away from carbonated soft drinks and towards water, flavoured water and drinks that have protein, vitamins and minerals added to them.

Maximise Summer Profits: The Best-Selling Products Needed in 2025 - Summer Store Sales

Set Your Store Apart This Summer.

Being different is key to success for many retailers, and finding your niche involves understanding your customers better than anyone else.

Mehmet Guzel, owner of Simply Fresh in Bethnal Green, east London, says his customers tend to buy healthier, added benefit lines or premium options in his store.

“Our summer range is always a different slant on what’s already available,” he says. “So, we’ll have premium ice cream or something that’s on trend, or wine from a local distillery. We’ll always have something more local as we have become known for that.”

Guzel added that he sticks to the core range products for the majority of each category, but adds in ‘quality versions’.

On the health front, Guzel says his soft drink range this summer will include low-sugar flavoured water and other added benefit brands, as opposed to solely relying on traditional convenience store lines.

Promoting Your Unique Range

Posting on social media is a great way to tell your shoppers about any new brands or ranges that you’re introducing. Matthews, for example, regularly posts about seasonal products in the build-up to summer, to increase interest and become the store of choice.

Guzel, however, stopped personally using social media for his business as he found it was unnecessary, instead focusing on other means to gain loyal customers.

He says that simply offering a unique range is enough to get customers to tell others and return time and time again.

Stocking speciality and niche brands isn’t just a trend, it’s a proven strategy for boosting summer profits.

Want tailored insights for your store? Contact us today for tailored product recommendations.

Your Guide to Community Events for Convenience Stores

Your Guide to Community Events for Convenience Stores - Intro Image 2

Your guide to community events

Getting involved in your community can help build new relationships, gain new customers and create a buzz around your store. Retailers say it’s about expressing how proud you are to operate in the local area.

“We raised our family here in Tenby. Our customers know us on a personal level, so we give back as often as we can,” says Vince Malone, co-owner of Premier Tenby Stores and Post Office in Pembrokeshire.

“Being involved in the community is less about helping the business but supporting the community where you live.”

If you’re not involved in your community, but it’s a goal for you for 2025, check out below for some easy tips.

Start simple

Don’t go in 100% by hosting large-scale events, as this can take up too much resource and not have your desired outcome. Instead, start by reaching out to local charities and initiatives or by becoming a drop-off point for local food banks.

“We’re working with our local food bank, so as a team, we sort collections for them,” explains Malone. “Other local businesses are involved, too.”

Malone’s ‘simple’ efforts don’t end there, either. He sends fruit to his local school, which is a low-cost initiative most retailers can replicate. Doing this will show your community that you’re interested in more than just getting sales, but the health and wellness of them, too.

You can achieve this simply by reaching out to nearby schools and asking them if you can donate fruit or snacks. You can then work with them to iron out details, such as which products to donate, how much you’ll nee,d and how often. From here, you can calculate costs.

Increase as your reputation grows

Your Guide to Community Events for Convenience Stores - Mid Blog Break Image 1

If you’re well-established in your store and feel you’re ready for large gatherings, you can take inspiration from what Amy Sohal, owner of Premier - Kens Convenience in Cheshire, does – host a community event.

“We host a fireworks display once a year. It’s done completely out of our own pocket, and it’s hosted on the field opposite our shop,” Sohal explains. “We’ve done it every year, and it’s the one event of the year that resonates most with our customers.”

The bonus with a fireworks display is that customers will come in and buy snacks or drinks from the store, so there’s a sales opportunity here, too.

To start, check out any legal requirements you need to adhere to, which can usually be found on your local authority's website.

Priyesh Vekaria, owner of One Stop Carlton Convenience, does a similar event. The store will close ahead of the fireworks display, and the team will run the full event.

Aside from this, you can drive footfall and community efforts during different seasons. Sohal brings in the Easter bunny every year, and Santa comes for a visit at Christmas, too.

“We like doing events, and community is everything to us – they’re like family,” she continues. “We also did a face painting event during Mental Health Awareness week, where the proceeds went to mental health charities.”

There’s also the opportunity to get suppliers involved. Some will help with stock, offer ideas or help create materials for you to promote any events as well.

Marketing your involvement effectively

What’s a community event without the community? For your event or involvement to be successful, you need to tell people about it, which is where social media comes in.

Use Facebook to highlight your event, making sure to include key information. This includes dates, times, and a description. If you’re raising money, tag the charity.

You can also use TikTok or Instagram Reels to promote the event. Any artwork you create can be made into a video to market it.

But don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth. “Most of our events are spread through word of mouth,” says Sohal. “Yes, we use social media, but word of mouth is just as effective.” 

Top tips to getting more involved with your community

Are you building a community and need stock advice? Get in touch to find out how we can help you

Easter Retail Strategy: Driving Sales with Premium & Alternative Products

Making the most of the premium opportunity

Easter Retail Strategy: Driving Sales with Premium & Alternative Products - Intro Image 1

Preparing for a premium Easter

More than four in five UK adults (84%) plan to celebrate Easter.

And while the need to offer value is as prominent for retailers as ever, Easter will see shoppers treat themselves a little bit more. In fact, retailers have reported they’ve already experienced high sales of impulse lines, such as Cadbury Creme Eggs and Mini Eggs.

Easter purchasing will only increase as we approach mid-April, so there’s a clear opportunity to encourage trade up and boost premium sales.

To maximise Easter sales, timing is everything. It’s critical to understand when to stock different types of Easter products and when you’re likely to see high demand.

Both Jeet Bansi, owner of Meon Vale Londis in Stratford-upon-Avon and Avtar (Sid) Sidhu, of St John’s Budgens in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, believe shoppers will buy Easter eggs at the last minute, and are more likely to trade up as a result.

Sidhu says: “The vast majority of our sales this year will be the week before Easter Sunday, as customers will be waiting for payday. It’s also so they don’t eat them before Easter Sunday – or break them and have to buy more.”

In-store activations are at the core of Sidhu’s Easter strategy, which he says encourages customers to trade up.

“Make sure promotions are activated to help capture the moment and imagination of the consumer. These then become your marketing tool for Facebook,” he says.

“Seasonal displays need to be changed throughout the season, otherwise customers will get bored of seeing the same products. Keep it fresh and current.”

Sidhu runs four-week promotional cycles and in the leadup to Easter he’ll update his promotional gondola ends in accordance with different events. Having just finished Valentine’s Day, he’ll switch to Mother’s Day next before changing the display back to Easter.

Strike a balance between value and premium

The goal for retailers is to offer something for everyone and provide the choice to buy premium options, as evidenced by Bansi.

“Chocolate as a whole is going up in price, giving a slightly premium angle in this sense,” he explains. “But we’ve always done Easter lines by having an entry level, such as Cadbury or KitKat, and then expanding towards premium options, like Lindt and Ferrero.”

Bansi says what you stock will be determined by your demographic but adds the majority of stores will need to stock a wide selection of eggs. He recommends checking the market through trade media and wholesalers or by visiting nearby retailers.

“We took advantage of the pre-sale from Londis and introduced Easter lines mid-December. We’re now introducing value lines and by the end of February, we’ll have our premium lines on the shelf, too,” he says.

Use the right wholesaler to find niche products

Most stores will likely stock Cadbury, Nestlé and Mars Easter lines, but there’s a whole host of customer needs to cater for, including those who have dietary requirements, such as gluten-free or dairy-free.

As a result, retailers have an opportunity to expand their seasonal range offering with alternative lines that offer a point of difference.

Here’s our recommendation of premium and alternative speciality Easter lines that can deliver for you this spring:

Easter Retail Strategy: Driving Sales with Premium & Alternative Products - Mid Blog Break Image

Expand your Easter offering to more than chocolate

Easter is a time for gathering with loved ones and the main meal on the Sunday remains an important tradition to many shoppers. A roast is the top pick among consumers, with 51% opting for this choice, but everyone has their own traditions and tapping into these can help increase basket spend and drive sales and profits.

“Our shoppers know they can come to us for all their roast dinner items, such as potatoes, vegetables and meat,” Sidhu says. “Lamb is the most-sold meat during the Easter period.”

To highlight the range, Bansi recommends having themed displays in prominent positions. “Our fresh and chilled bays are merchandised according to the season,” he continues.

“For Easter, this will be meat, dairy and complementary products. We ensure these are in position early in the season, so even if customers aren’t buying them straight away, it puts the occasion in their minds.”

Easter-themed bakery options are another sure-fire way to encourage trade up. “Seasonal Cadbury cakes are very popular, but so are local companies who sell muffins or loaf cakes. These companies will often put an Easter twist on them,” Bansi concludes. 

Are you interested building a successful easter range?

Get in touch to find out how we can help you

The Flexitarian Trend: Retail Tips for Growing Sales

The Flexitarian Trend: Retail Tips for Growing Sales - Intro Image

Focus on: Flexitarian diets ­– are they back?

Twenty-three per cent of consumers claim they are ‘flexitarians’ – a diet that is primarily vegetarian, with the occasional meat or fish dish thrown in. The diet has soared in popularity in recent years due to two main drivers; the rising cost of red meat and the desire to simply reduce meat consumption without giving it up entirely.

While there is an opportunity for retailers to cater for these customers and gain repeat custom, the challenge is identifying these consumers among your shopper base. Retailers won’t know unless it’s something their customers declare, so how do you meet their needs?

“Like anything, you need to talk to your customers about what to stock,” says Faraz Iqbal, owner of Premier Linktown Local in Kirkcaldy, Fife. “Some will say they’re cutting down on meat, alcohol, or increasing protein. You can then adapt from here.”

When are people more likely to try flexitarian?

January is the most common month where people choose to try or follow a new diet. This is because many treat the New Year as a new slate, setting goals to be healthier, for example.

“January is definitely the biggest month for new diets, including flexitarian, because everyone wants to get in shape, make themselves feel better and get past the winter blues,” says Nishi Patel, owner of Londis Bexley Park in Dartford, Kent.

Iqbal adds: “Beyond January, we just have to make sure the range is there for people who continue their new healthier commitments.”

But there are opportunities outside the start of the year. Patel says April and May are popular months for shoppers to follow a healthier or flexitarian diet as they get ready for summer.

The Flexitarian Trend: Retail Tips for Growing Sales - Flexitarian Banner

How to navigate the rise in flexitarian diets

Both Iqbal and Patel cater for flexitarian shoppers by focusing on protein products. They advise offering alternatives to cater for as many diets as possible.

Iqbal says: “We offer products that cater for those cutting down on meat or trying to increase their protein in other ways. We have fresh meals made locally, which include vegetarian options, as well as a range of protein bars.”

Meanwhile, Patel has introduced protein yoghurts, as well as other options including sandwiches and drinks. A fast seller of Patel’s is Mockingbird, a drink that offers added benefits.

“Products with added nutrients or vitamins are great for people who are flexitarian, vegetarian or looking at their health,” he explains. “Take Huel ­­– it’s a big staple for a lot of people.”

While Huel’s premium price point can be a barrier for some shoppers, it’s worth noting that if they are spending a high amount on meat products, they might be more open to spending £3.50 on Huel or alternative meal replacement products.

Patel offers value on this brand specifically by keeping it on promotion. “We stock five varieties on promotion at £2.99 each so it always sells,” he says.

What should you stock?

Retailers can cater for flexitarian diets with a core range of grocery, snacking and chilled products, flanked by vegetarian and vegan alternatives. But to maintain or increase profits, offering products that provide a point of difference can help stand out.

At Epicurium, we task our buyers to follow food and drink trends and diets and identify the products that work for convenience stores. 

We stock a range of products that can help you cater for flexitarian diets, including:

As the rising costs of food bills is driving the growth in flexitarian diets, it’s also likely these shoppers are cooking their meals from scratch more often. Retailers can make it easier for their customers by focusing on ready meals and fresh ingredients.

Top tips to catering for flexitarian diets

Are you interested in catering to the growing flexitarian demand?

Get in touch to find out how we can help you

The Epicurium Watchlist: Top Brands to Drive Profits in 2025

The Epicurium Watchlist: Top Brands to Drive Profits in 2025 - Intro Image

At Epicurium, we pride ourselves on keeping on top of trends and securing must-have products for retailers looking to offer a point of difference. We do the hard work in market analysis, so our customers do not have to.

This time of year, we see many of our retail customers stocking new products and evolving their ranges by reflecting key trends. While cash tends to be tighter for consumers in January, February sees customers with a bit more disposable income to give something new a try.

“We use January and February as an opportunity to play around with our store, try new products and get new PoS in too,” says Vidur Pandya, owner of Kislingbury Mini Market in Northamptonshire.

Here, we review our exclusive data and identify the key brands and trends that could provide valuable profit drivers for your store this year.

The Epicurium Watchlist: Top Brands to Drive Profits in 2025 - Emerging Health Brands 2025

2025’s Emerging Health Brands

One of the biggest opportunities retailers need to watch in 2025 is consumers’ increased understanding of fibre and gut health. The Gut Stuff is a high-fibre range of snack bars that are lower in calories. Currently, it is recommended that people consume 30g of fibre a day – The Gut Stuff’s bars contain a third of this – and with nine in 10 people in the UK not getting enough, this could be a future bestselling product for your store.

At Epicurium, we’ve seen The Gut Stuff’s sales grow by +226% year-on-year (YoY). We stock it in five delicious flavours – Peanut Butter, Raspberry & Coconut, Cocoa & Hazelnut, Apple & Cinnamon and Sea Salt & Caramel.

Family Secret is also going from strength to strength by focusing on quality and health. Its Proppadoms brand – a range of vegan and low-calorie poppadoms – had a +134% YoY sales increase in the past year. 

The flavours we stock include Original, Garlic & Red Chilli, Sriracha, Turmeric, Chilli & Ginger and Duck & Plum.

Away from fibre, protein demand isn’t going anywhere, but what were bestsellers in previous years might not be right for you now. The Curators could be the next must-stock product. In the past year, the brand’s sales have gone up +145% here at Epicurium. Among its range is the Original Beef Biltong, which is gluten-free and contains 15g of protein. If you’re looking to expand your protein snack range, consider the brand’s Pork Puffs Original Salted, which contains 16g of protein.

If that doesn’t meet your shopper demographic, the high-protein Veggie Puffs might. We stock two flavours – Cheese and Barbecue.

The Epicurium Watchlist: Top Brands to Drive Profits in 2025 - Challenger Drinks 2025 1

What are the Challenger Drinks of 2025?

In the drinks category, Shaken Udder saw a dramatic sales growth of +524% between October and December 2024.

More specifically, its Strawberry flavour was responsible for around a third of this growth, with its Chocolush variety also a strong performer.

Energy drinks are another area of innovation and while the likes of Monster and Red Bull will continue to own the category for the most part in independent stores, there are challenger brands that will appeal to shoppers who would not typically buy from the category.

C4 Energy, for example, is increasing growth and presence in retail, proven by the YoY sales increase we’ve seen at Epicurium – up by +196%. With more than six flavours to choose from, retailers have access to a broad range to meet their shoppers’ tastes. Available in cases of 12 at an RRP of £1.99, retailers can get a profit on return of more than 40% with each sale.  

The Epicurium Watchlist: Top Brands to Drive Profits in 2025 - Must stock treat lines 2025

What are the Must-Stock Treat Lines from Epicurium?

There are plenty of lines growing in demand at Epicurium that could bolster the premium end of your treat range. Probably the most recognisable brand is Tony’s Chocolonely.

The range generated a +109% YoY sales increase between 2023 and 2024. We stock a wide range to cater for your customers, which includes Chocolate Cookie Chip, Pecan Caramel Crunch and Milk Chocolate, Caramel, Almond, Pretzel & Sea Salt bars.

You can also purchase the brand’s Littl’ Bits bag range from us in three flavours: Dark Chocolate Orange Choco Cookie, Milk Caramel Sea Salt Biscuit Mix and Milk Marshmallow Biscuit Mix. This range can help you trade up big-night-in shoppers. They are available in cases of eight and have an RRP of £3.10 and a POR of 32.5%.

The Epicurium Watchlist: Top Brands to Drive Profits in 2025 - Retailer backing 2025

What are Retailers Backing?

“Huel and gluten-free products will be big this year,” Pandya says. “We’re also going to be introducing the GetPro range from Danone.”

Pandya has created a ‘health-themed’ chiller to see if it helps sales. The Kislingbury Mini Market team will monitor any new products introduced, analyse sales, and delist ones that haven’t performed as expected.

“We also plan to focus on evening meal deals. We already have a freezer meal, but we will expand on what we’re already offering to help meet the value shopper need,” Pandya adds.

Meanwhile, Priyesh Vekaria, owner of One Stop Carlton Convenience in Salford, says his focus will be on brands from the core manufacturers, but that doesn’t mean upcoming names don’t have a place.

“The likes of Danone and Biotiful will be our key brands this year. The theme in food this year is health, and it’s about more than just offering protein, but alternative snack options that will meet a broader range of health requirements,” he says.

Are you interested in stocking fast-growing upcoming brands this year?

Get in touch to find out how we can help you

How to Keep Dry January Sales Going

How to Keep Dry January Sales Going - Retailers Surviving Dry January

January is an opportunity for a fresh start. It’s a time for setting goals, whether financial, professional or personal – to simply take better care of ourselves than the year before.

Abstaining from alcohol in January is not a new phenomenon – its roots can be traced back to the 1940s – but it certainly has come into more focus in recent years. Alcohol Change launched Dry January in 2013 with 4,000 people taking part, rising to 215,000 people last year – a huge opportunity for retailers.

This growth mirrors a broader trend of consumers generally drinking less throughout the year – particularly younger age groups. For retailers, the question is how do you keep up the momentum of alcohol-free drinks beyond January and ensure your store is a destination for interesting, non-alcoholic drinks all year round.

How to Keep Dry January Sales Going - Retailers Surviving Dry January Alcohol Free

Get the right alcohol-free products in

Alcohol-free products have grown in the past few years, as they have become more accessible in pubs, bars and shops.  

“Not even two years ago, I would have said alcohol-free was not a strong category, but sales have definitely increased,” says Faraz Iqbal, owner of Premier Linktown Local in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

“I now notice customers actively coming in and asking for 0%. In January, we notice sales go up the most, as our home keg sales tend to drop.”

For Iqbal, the alcohol-free trend goes beyond Dry January and he says the key to capitalising on this is to have the right range of products.

“I find that alcohol-free spirits aren’t great in my area, but low-and-no beers do well,” he says.

Sasi Patel, owner of multiple Go Local stores in and around Greater Manchester, has had more success with non-alcoholic wine and Guinness 0.0.

“We sell more in January because of New Year goals, but non-alcoholic wine and Guinness 0.0 sell well enough to be stocked year-round,” he says.

The role of soft drinks

With the money saved from not buying alcohol, customers may be willing to trade up towards premium adult soft drinks.

If you’re looking to increase your range of premium adult soft drinks, here are some of the brands we stock that can meet this requirement:

How to Keep Dry January Sales Going - Retailers Surviving Dry January Marketing Soft Drinks

Marketing effectively

If you’re not that active on social media, posting about Dry January, alcohol-free products and premium soft drinks is a great chance to change that.

“We’ve spoken as a team to put something out for January and the following months,” Iqbal adds. “It’s all about visibility so customers know we stock them.”

Reels are popular on all platforms, so use this to showcase your products. This will be ideal for Dry January, but you can continue this after with captions, such as “Keep your January goals going with our non-alcoholic and premium soft drinks range…”

In-store, having a dedicated section and the right PoS can help drive alcohol-free sales beyond January. “We have a section that’s alcohol-free and we have our soft drinks area, too,” Patel says.

“It’s a section that isn’t bought on impulse and is a planned purchase, so if you have the right PoS and have it merchandised correctly, you’ll continue to drive sales.”

Top tips to increase premium adult soft drinks sales

  1. Do market research: Try new lines based on your own research. Talk to retailers or speak with wholesalers, like us, for industry insight on the top-selling lines.
  2. Market effectively: Utilise social media and PoS in-store to help market your premium soft drinks. If done correctly, you’ll be surprised at what people buy.
  3. Have options: Make sure to have a wider range of products to suit a wider pool of customers. Trial for six to eight weeks and monitor sales using your EPoS data.

The Convenience Store of the Future

The Convenience Store of the Future - Convenience Store of the Future

2030 is just five years away and while convenience stores’ core range will likely look similar to how it does today, the trends and technology around them may be very different.

“The need to offer value will still be prevalent in five years, but it always has been,” explains Bobby Singh, owner of BB Nevison Superstore & Post Office in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.  

“But it will be interesting to see how other trends will be in 2030, such as veganism and the zero-alcohol category. I would love to have a crystal ball to see, but I can see them both growing as people become more health conscious.”

While trends come and go, the technology that will be driving convenience stores will have a more lasting impact. These include artificial intelligence (AI), digital displays, and vaping dispenser gantries among others.

Here, we explore how some of these developments could play out.

The Convenience Store of the Future - Convenience Store of the Future Security

AI will dominate tech advancements

AI usage is growing at a rapid rate. 15% of small businesses have already adopted at least one form of AI technology, according to a report for the UK Government.

Joshua James, owner of Fresh & Proper, Fordham in Essex, is one of these retailers.

“We have body language recognition software in store that uses AI to highlight if someone is putting something in their coats, or acting suspicious,” he says. “It’s been a no-brainer for us.”

The software sends a notification to staff headsets, store announcements, and phone alerts to help battle crime.

Although it’s tech that already exists, James says the future will only offer bigger opportunities to improve the system.

Facial recognition doesn’t yet have a wide adoption rate in convenience stores, but Singh believes that by 2030 it will be common practice.

 “I think everyone will have a form of facial recognition in store,” he says. “We can already see it slowly coming through.”

AI will also lend itself well to ordering. “By 2030, there will be a lot more AI integration, ordering for us based on trend analysis. This will be a big one for wholesalers too as it will help them suggest popular products,” James says.

The Convenience Store of the Future - Convenience Store of the Self Checkout

Digital displays will be the norm

As the cost of digital displays comes down, they will likely come to dominate convenience stores in 2030, bringing in-store marketing to a whole new level.

“The power of owning digital displays as a retailer will be huge. It will make advertising products and driving sales so much easier,” continues Singh.

“From a marketing perspective, it will help boost our overall engagement and that’s something every brand wants.”   

But the big innovation by 2030 will be interactive digital displays. “The data you collect from displays where customers can interact with them will be invaluable,” says James.

“And it’s endless. They can be advanced as far as reading body language around attempted purchases, voting on potential new product launches you’re planning to stock, or simply getting feedback on the product or price.”

Singh also predicts the widespread introduction of electronic shelf-edge labels in stores. “They are so effective. We saw them recently at a trade show and saw the impact they can have on upgrading the look of your store,” Singh says.

James adds: “We save a lot of cost and time in staffing hours already and we can change pricing instantly, anywhere.”

The Convenience Store of the Future - Convenience Store of the Vending

Challenge 25 and vending machines

Challenge 25 is an important store practice, but it can be difficult for retailers and their staff to always get right. With the Tobacco and Vapes Bill making its way through Westminster, the generational smoking ban could one day see retailers having to refuse sales to adults on the basis that they are a couple of years younger than the ban permits.

But James believes store owners will likely look for a tech solution to reduce human error. Technology will have advanced by 2030 to offer automatic recognition software. While this might seem an obvious step up, what if it was required to dispense the vape or tobacco product in the first place?   

“There’s already some tech around dispensing cigarettes and vapes, but it could be used to help us with age verification,” James says. “This could be staff pressing a button or the machine identifying the person’s ID and processing the sale that way.”

James also says it will be possible to have some convenience stores operating 24/7 by using shop-front vending machines.

“Again, this is something already in circulation in some areas, but it has the potential to go so much further,” James continues.

“I see 2030 having vending machines for vapes, tobacco and all sorts of products, so we can generate sales every minute of every day.”

It’s worth adding, though, that there will always be a need for customer service and adding that personal touch for whoever wants it.

Singh says: “My store in 2030 will always have that personal touch, meaning manned tills and staff on the shop floor for all those customers who want that personal interaction and service.”

The Convenience Store of the Future - Convenience Store of the Self Checkout

Self-checkouts for busy customers and cashless options

Self-checkouts in convenience stores are still relatively new, but by 2030, they could be in every store.

“While we’ll always offer a personal and interactive service, we think most stores will have self-checkouts for customers who want to be in or out, are in a rush, or simply don't want that kind of service,” continues Singh.

James echoes this but adds that the technology has a long way to go. “Customers will always want a friendly face, but self-checkouts are the future, especially as they become easier to use. More stores may also go cashless by 2030,” he says.

Cashless stores are slowly becoming the norm, with more shoppers relying on their phones and cards to make purchases. “We’re already around 85% cashless anyway, but this will become bigger as new generations become more financially savvy,” James concludes.

However technology develops in the next five years, we believe that with our range of cutting-edge premium products, Epicurium can be a reliable partner for your growth.

Get in touch to find out how we can support your business.

A Focus On: Making the Best of 2025

A Focus On: Making the Best of 2025 - Making the best of 2025 Retailers

The new year always brings optimism, but 2025 presents many changes for the convenience channel, such as the vaping disposable ban and the April increase in the National Minimum Wage.

“Retailers will need to watch their sales and waste levels, and react accordingly in 2025,” says Paresh Vyas, owner of Jack Lane Convenience in Greater Manchester.

“There will also be higher constraints on budgets, and with our costs continuing to increase, there will be lots of changes next year.”

However, retailers that can navigate the trends well, and work out where they can drive extra sales, will thrive in 2025. Here’s what you need to know. 

Value will continue to drive convenience store buying decisions

The rising cost of living continues to tighten shoppers' purse strings, meaning retailers are having to offer more value to drive sales.

“Costs are going up and financial aid from the government is going down, so customers are more price-conscious than ever,” Vyas says.

“As a result, we’ll be running more promotions to help sales and communicate that we offer value.”

Many retailers are shopping around more when purchasing stock and are being more ruthless with their listings. Many independents are delisting slow sellers going into 2025 in a bid to offer a core range that consistently sells.

But while costs continue to tighten, retailers should remember that the convenience channel already offers great value. Shoppers are still looking for something special and, providing you offer a good experience in store, with quality products on offer, you can still drive profits with premium lines.

Alan Mannings, owner of Shop on the Green in Chartham, Kent, adds that convenience store pricing is on par with supermarkets in some cases and that some categories will be immune to value trends.

“We’ve got crisps in store that sell consistently that are priced at £4.99. Sometimes shoppers want to treat themselves,” he says.

A Focus On: Making the Best of 2025 - Retailers Make most of 2025 Food to Go

Focus on food to go

Food to go – and even takeaway-style food to go – will be the convenience store trend to focus on next year, according to Vyas and Mannings.

“Food to go will be a massive area for us to focus on next year,” Mannings says.

Mannings plans to create a premium meal deal and will be working closely with Country Choice. “We’re doing a small refit in store, overhauling our range to make room for the right products, such as salads and sandwiches,” he says.

Vyas has also seen the food-to-go opportunity and says that, after lying relatively dormant for the past few years, the category is starting to grow again.

He says: “We’re looking at fresh options, like fruit salads, to cater for our increasingly health-conscious customer base.”  

A Focus On: Making the Best of 2025 - Retailers Make most of 2025 Healthy Missions

Health missions will be in demand

January marks the start of the ‘New Year, new me’ ethos. In January 2024, 59% of consumers said they were trying to eat healthier, making this a prime opportunity for your store in the coming weeks.

“We’re anticipating that the number of people buying vegan products will grow, and we’ve noticed more shoppers in our area aren’t eating meat,” Vyas adds. “We also regularly hear them say they’re eating less meat after reading about the supposed health benefits from doing so.”

January means ‘Veganuary’ for some, with 1.8 million consumers participating in 2024. We can also help fill your shelves with vegan, vegetarian and healthier alternatives. This includes low-calorie or high-protein options, such as:

A Focus On: Making the Best of 2025 - Retailers Make most of 2025 Energy Drinks

Energy will dominate soft drinks

The energy drinks market has grown substantially in the past few years, and retailers predict this will continue in 2025.

“Red Bull is the core energy drink, but we now have a broad range, which we continue to update with new flavours and varieties,” says Vyas.

Vyas believes the larger formats will be the biggest opportunity for retailers. “We stock the bigger format of Red Bull, and it flies off the shelves in comparison to the 250ml format,” he continues. “They just offer better value.”

Here are some of our alternative bestselling soft drinks:

What else will help profits in 2025?

Growing margins is a huge focus for retailers in 2025, which can be accomplished by buying strategically and reviewing your overhead costs.

Vyas is aiming to reduce overheads next year by focusing on sustainability and introducing energy-efficient measures.

“We’re getting quotes together to install doors on our chillers, but we’re also looking at cheaper alternatives, too, like sensors,” he concludes.

From a buying perspective, take some time to conduct a range review and shop around. If you stock healthier products, for example, or are looking to do from the New Year, we can help.

Get in touch to find out how we can help you have a successful 2025 and beyond.