SGF Go Local Programme

 

Go Local

A new Scottish Government grant program called “Go Local” has been established to support convenience stores throughout Scotland to provide dedicated, long term display space for locally sourced Scottish products, with a bias towards fresh and healthy, supported by enhanced consumer engagement. The first phase of the project commenced on 1st of December 2020 and will involve 10 geographically diverse stores throughout Scotland as a pilot.

Grants will be awarded for the installation of new equipment dedicated to locally sourced Scottish products on a 50% match-funding basis, capped at £10,000 (i.e. 50% paid by the retailer, 50% paid by the fund).  Please note that funding can only be offered on the net cost of any works being undertaken (i.e. excluding VAT).

The program will be administered by Scottish Grocers’ Federation.

Pilot Aim

The aim is to increase the turnover of locally and nationally produced Scottish products within the convenience store sector to mitigate lost volumes in other channels, to aid economic recovery for Scottish manufacturers and producers, to significantly contribute towards the Scottish Governments Ambition 2030, and to promote a sustainable and prosperous convenience industry in Scotland.

The pilot also aims to work with Scotland Food & Drink to produce “common” in-store marketing materials to brand the new offering to enhance consumer engagement.

Evaluation Methodology

To ensure robust measurement of the program, retailers must agree to provide scanning information for analysis, which Professor Leigh Sparks, Stirling University, has agreed to independently analyse and report results on. To enable this, all new lines introduced will be detailed at the outset to allow line item detail scrutiny.

Retailer feedback will also be sought on consumer engagement and feedback as to program improvement opportunities.

Phase 2 Applications

The initial pilot will run for a period of 24 weeks, and notification will be posted in due course for phase 2 applications.

New sales opportunity for your food and drink business

We are delighted to let you know about a new Meet the Buyer opportunity that Scotland Food & Drink is working on in collaboration with the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) and The Scottish Government.

‘Go Local’, an initiative funded by The Scottish Government, will be piloted across ten convenience stores in Scotland and will see a total of £100,000 invested into these stores to help increase the space given to Scottish products, including fresh and healthy produce, growing both the offering and engagement around these products.

The trial will see the participating stores across Fife, Central belt, Dumfries, Aberdeenshire, and Ayrshire, broaden the range of Scottish products offered and the new ranges will be supported with a package of marketing materials.

If the limited store trial is successful, the ambition is to roll out the project widely within the Scottish convenience market, making the future potential of the project significant. 


 

Meet the Buyer: Scottish Grocers Federation

Go Local campaign

The Meet the Buyer sessions offers pre-selected producers the opportunity to pitch to participating convenience retailers. Products that prove successful in the trial are likely to be added to a recommended product list should the project move to full roll out stage.

Qualification criteria:

The participating convenience retailers are looking for products in the following categories:

  • Ambient grocery (excluding biscuits, cakes, crisps, savoury snacks and confectionery)

  • Sugar-free soft drinks

  • Frozen foods (excluding desserts)

  • Dairy (excluding liquid milk)

  • Chilled prepared foods

  • Prepacked meat, fish and poultry

  • Seasonal, Scottish grown fruit and vegetables (apply now regardless of season)

All participating stores are in the market for value and everyday ranges and “food to go” products. A small number of the stores also have a customer base that is interested in premium brands. All of the convenience retailers involved take regular deliveries from a range of wholesalers and symbol groups and also accept direct to store deliveries.

The opportunity is open to any Scottish food and drink manufacturer who is interested in supplying convenience retailers across Scotland or in a particular area of Scotland within the categories specified above.

How to register:

To register, please complete the application form by no later than 5pm on Friday 5th February. Shortlisted companies will be notified at least 7 days in advance of the event with further information provided. Any questions on this event or on the criteria please email ukmd@foodanddrink.scot

Link to the application form: https://fs22.formsite.com/scotfooddrink/dqwwoodsxl/index.html

Post on our website can be found here: https://foodanddrink.scot/events/meet-the-buyer-scottish-grocers-federation/

Invitation to Tender for the Provision of Retail Butchery Counter and Services, for more information click on the website https://scotmid.coop/2021/01/exciting-opportunity-retail-butcher-counter-broxburn/. Download the PDF.