Spar Scotland wholesaler, CJ Lang & Son Ltd, announced that it was ranked number one in the convenience sector in its latest Advantage Survey, during virtual business briefings with more than 200 suppliers.
The group, which was also ranked number two in wholesale, used the briefings to provide a comprehensive trading update and outlined key priorities for the year ahead. The business also confirmed the return of this year’s Spar Scotland conference and tradeshow in Aviemore on 24 September 2026.
The briefings showed Spar Scotland to be trading ahead of the total convenience market, despite overall market decline, with strong transaction levels and customer engagement continuing to differentiate the brand.
The group also shared feedback from the Advantage Survey, which highlighted clear opportunities for improvement, particularly around communication, data visibility and collaboration.
The business also underlined the critical role of New Product Development (NPD) in driving growth, innovation and customer engagement. Suppliers were encouraged to prioritise relevant, insight-led NPD that supports Spar Scotland’s mission to dominate top-up and food-to-go missions, while delivering differentiation in a competitive market.
The company continues to invest in tools and infrastructure to support this, including its Relex demand planning and forecasting platform, now live across the supplier network, enabling improved forecasting accuracy and collaboration.
Customer engagement remains a key strength, with the recent ‘Spin into Spring’ campaign delivering standout results, including:
- 20,000 unique customers
- 175,000 daily plays
- 166,000 vouchers issued
The group is also accelerating its digital and local marketing strategy, with expansion of Spar Scotland store Facebook pages to 90 locations by June, alongside influencer activity and broader social media engagement.
Looking ahead, Spar Scotland is actively inviting suppliers to collaborate across a range of initiatives, including:
- Major campaigns such as the World Cup and Spar’s Great Big Giveaway
- Enhanced promotional programmes and store activations
- Hyper-local marketing and retail media opportunities
- First-to-market innovation through its Media Hub
Food to Go remains a key footfall driver, supported by a market-leading £3.49 morning roll and coffee deal, expanded ranges, and the upcoming launch of a Barista Bar loyalty app.
The business also reaffirmed its commitment to Scottish sourcing, with 50% of products sourced from Scottish suppliers, aligning with strong customer demand for local, high-quality products.
Josie Cattermoul, Trading Director, Spar Scotland, said: “While it’s a challenging trading environment, our focus remains firmly on driving profitable growth through strong supplier partnerships, disciplined execution and a clear customer-first strategy. We are performing ahead of the market, and that’s a testament to the strength of our model and the collaboration we have with our supplier base.
“The Advantage Survey is invaluable in shaping how we work with our suppliers. It’s clear we’re doing a lot well, but equally there are areas where we must go further. Our commitment is to act on this feedback and strengthen how we work together.
“There has never been a more important time for collaboration. By working closely with our suppliers, focusing on innovation through NPD, and delivering consistently for customers, we are confident in driving sustainable growth together across Spar Scotland.”
Suppliers looking to register for Spar Scotland’s annual tradeshow should contact sara.higgins@cjlang.co.uk
