In a recent interview in The Grocer (June 26), Jerry Marwood, the managing director of Spar UK, effectively announced the future alienation of the small store profile with regard to CTNs and Off-Licences by saying: "one trick ponies don't stand a chance. CTNs are doomed."

Is it just me or did anyone else notice this: the Government announced its so called "Emergency Budget" details on Tuesday June 22 and appears to have come through the whole process relatively unscathed by any significant adverse industry or public opinion.

At Reids Food Service, based in Dalry, Ayrshire, we are putting the finishing touches to a new modern 30,000sq ft depot which will house 1,400 ambient, 1,100 frozen and 260 chilled pallet spaces. We are currently talking to all suppliers about promotional activity for our new depot opening in the summer of 2010.

If you went to buy a bottle of wine and were confronted with a limited range of bottles, you might be a little bit disappointed. In fact you might not go there again. For certain categories, making the choice is part of the fun and this certainly applies to confectionery. Stores that offer an exciting and comprehensive range of confectionery are generally receiving a welcome boost to their profits.

As our customers challenge us to go "green" we need to juggle the environment with the reality of operating a profitable, low margin business.