The Better Retailing podcast, brought to you by Newtrade Media, brings you the latest news and views from the world of independent convenience retail in the UK. With retailers, for retailers.
Each episode, hosts Stefan Appleby and Louise Banham are joined by leading retailers Natalie Lightfoot and Atul Sodha, to discuss key topics within the convenience retail world.
To get in touch with us, ask a question of our retailer panel, or get involved with any of the conversations, please email Stefan.appleby@newtrade.co.uk (mailto:Stefan.appleby@newtrade.co.uk), or send us a message via Newtrade Media on LinkedIn.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
"You have to be part of the conversation"
This week the panel - Atul Sodha and Natalie Lightfoot, along with Louise Banham and a voiceless Stefan Appleby - tackle two of the biggest upcoming topics that will affect the channel in the next year - the deposit return scheme, and the Tobacco & Vapes bill.
We talk about whether small stores should actively get involved with DRS, and if so to what extent - a full RVM (and if so, where to put it?); manual handling solutions (and how to manage those); and the costs involved.
Then we move onto the Tobacco & Vapes Bill, and the Government's estimated figures of £151.20 to upgrade a vape gantry to hide products from display. How will retailers handle this and, most importantly - will it achieve what the government wants it to achieve?
All of this, along with a big celebration as Natalie rides on the high of being named Best Store Under 1,500sq ft at the 2026 Better Retailing Awards.
Great fun and serious thinking contained within!
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To hear more about the Retail Family Online Safe Space, visit the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/p/Retail-Family-Online-Safe-Space-61568103505510/ (https://www.facebook.com/p/Retail-Family-Online-Safe-Space-61568103505510/)
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To get in touch with us, ask a question of our retailer panel, or get involved with any of the conversations, please email betterretailing@newtrade.co.uk, or send us a message via Newtrade Insight on LinkedIn.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
29 Sept 2026
S3E9: Heineken's Sarah Romain talks latest alcohol news
Better Retailing Podcast: Season 3, Episode 9
"Recognise the building blocks and stock more than one line"
For this episode we're delighted to speak to Sarah Romain, National Field Sales Manager at Heineken UK. Not delighted enough for Atul to use an actual computer, as he joins us from his car, but still...
Sarah joins us to talk, unsurprisingly, about the alcohol category, and what Heineken are doing to help convenience retailers, including their Star Retailer scheme; the most recent launches and new product development; pricing, pack sizes and promotion; and simple ways in which retailers can get growing categories like low- and no-alcohol ranges right.
All this, and Natalie talks about being recognised in the Scottish Parliament and Ats' talks around the ACS Local Shop Report launch event in Westminster.
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To hear more about the Retail Family Online Safe Space, visit the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/p/Retail-Family-Online-Safe-Space-61568103505510/ (https://www.facebook.com/p/Retail-Family-Online-Safe-Space-61568103505510/)
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To get in touch with us, ask a question of our retailer panel, or get involved with any of the conversations, please email betterretailing@newtrade.co.uk, or send us a message via Newtrade Insight on LinkedIn.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Sept 2026
S3E8: 30UnderThirty winner Lewis Woodward joins us
Better Retailing Podcast: Season 3, Episode 8
"Wanting to learn more and improve is a natural human instinct, I think"
For this episode we're delighted to speak to Lewis Woodward, of Nisa Local Colleygate in Halesowen.
At the age of 22, Lewis has been a winner of 30UnderThirty for three years already - and still has seven years of eligibility left. Lewis talks to us about his journey so far, the difficulties and successes of being a young leader of a store operation, and much more.
It's a brilliant conversation with a brilliant young retailing talent, covering:
How to bring people on the journey with you, and the importance of it.
Learning to overcome the urge to tackle every shoplifter.
Learning how, in such a lonely business, to take the ups and the downs.
The importance of creating a buzz and energy in store – and how ensuring you don’t have empty bake-off racks can play its small part in that.
How his store are going to cope with an Asda opening over the road – how tapping into what they do well, working with their local community, and their ability to change quickly will all play a part in continuing to drive success.
All this plus Natalie's step-by-step guide on how to smash online delivery retailing as a small store. Trust me, you wont want to miss this.
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To hear more about the Retail Family Online Safe Space, visit the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/p/Retail-Family-Online-Safe-Space-61568103505510/ (https://www.facebook.com/p/Retail-Family-Online-Safe-Space-61568103505510/)
You can find out more and register to attend for the Better Retailing Festival and Awards here: https://www.betterretailing.com/br/event/better-retailing-festival-and-awards-2026/
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To get in touch with us, ask a question of our retailer panel, or get involved with any of the conversations, please email betterretailing@newtrade.co.uk, or send us a message via Newtrade Insight on LinkedIn.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 6 / 100
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Quality
12
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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