Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
INSPIRATIONAL grocers were recognised for their achievements during a period of economic challenges and personal loss for the sector at the 33rd Asian Trader Awards, which took place at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Hotel last Wednesday (9).
The top award of the evening – the Asian Trader of the Year 2022 – went to Scottish independent retailer Shamly Sud.
Her achievement in transforming her flagship Racetrack Pitstop Premier store into a destination venue attracting shoppers from many miles around her hometown of Strathclyde was recognised as an inflexion point in the development of the industry. It showed the way forward for the vibrant retail sector to compete with supermarket chains, and to serve their local communities in ways that others simply could not match.
Sud, whom the judges called a true convenience entrepreneur, now runs 11 stores, with plans to open more and to franchise their own in-store concessions.
This year’s competition for Asian Trader Magazine’s top collection of grocery industry awards was more numerous and intense than ever, with the judges noting the quality of entrants and the difficulty of deciding between them.
Among the winners in the product category were Mondelez International for confectionery; PepsiCo for its Kurkure Asian-inspired snack; and CCEP for its Relentless Zero Sugar drink.
The winners among the retailers and wholesalers featured Parfetts for its Sheffield cash and carry depot in the Wholesale Depot of the Year category, while the Ram Solanki lifetime Achievement Award went to Steve Keil of Booker, a legendary industry figure.
Retailer Amrit Singh of Walsall in the West Midland won the coveted Spirit of the Community award, and Jayaseelan Thambirajah of MSP Noble Group, Cambridgeshire, took Convenience Chain of the Year. A new award for 2022, the OffLicence of the Year, to take account of the amazing progress in retailing the alcohol category by the convenience channel, was scooped by Neha Phoughat.
Kevin Hollinrake addresses guests during the event
Kevin Hollinrake, minister in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, graced the occasion as chief guest, as leading suppliers, manufactures and wholesalers gathered to celebrate the very best of convenience retail.
Hollinrake expressed sympathy with independent retailers over crime, energy costs and the level of business rates.
He said, “Now, finally, we are moving towards a period where we can provide certainty and stability. Both government and business have much to do, and I can rely on the determination and resilience and innovation of your sector as we work together. Small business is the very foundation of a dynamic, productive economy that creates employment, and brings huge benefits for the consumer.”
Kalpesh Solanki gives the keynote speech
Hollinrake paid tribute to the passing two months earlier of Asian Media Group (AMG) matriarch Parvatiben, widow of the late Ramniklal Solanki CBE, founder of the company as “a true spirit of community and a real pioneer in every sense of the word”.
He also described the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, as “the best person to run the country in terms of his intellect and talent, and also one of the most decent people to have ever entered British politics.”
MP Dawn Butler during the event
Guests in the packed Plaza ballroom included politicians including Labour MP Dawn Butler and Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, along with executives and leaders of many of the UK’s foremost producers and suppliers. Bestway Wholesale managing director Dawood Pervez sat alongside Cereal Partners’ vice-president Nicolas Wahli and British American Tobacco’s head of business development Mustafa Zaidi.
Nish Kankiwala, who recently stepped down as CEO of Hovis plc and is now a non-executive director of the John Lewis Partnership, shared a table with Alpesh Mistry, sales director of Suntory Beverage and Food, and sponsor Sunmark Ltd’s general manager, Mohan Khurana.
Shefali Solanki-Nair makes the charity appeal
By coincidence, the awards this year fell on the birthday of AMG’s group managing editor Kalpesh Solanki. After the resident band cheered him onstage with a rendition of Happy Birthday (“It was supposed to be a secret!” he joked), he spoke about the recent death of his mother on the same day as the Queen, linking together the growth and change that had taken place during the lives of both women.
“In the years of the Queen’s reign, Britain has become a kinder, gentler and freer society,” he said. “We are a more tolerant and welcoming society and the open racism of my parents’ generation has largely disappeared. And though there is still much to do to create a more equal society free of discrimination and prejudice, there is a deep sense of togetherness and community spirit in our country.”
Shailesh Solanki (L) and Mark Stananought
Solanki also hailed the contribution made by independent retailers during the pandemic, describing them as “the heart of that togetherness”, but noted the new problems facing the sector.
These include the cost-of-living-crisis; additional regulation and red tape; duties and obligations, such as HFSS and the DRS scheme soon to be introduced in Scotland; and the way in which many local authorities “continue to create obstacles by making it difficult to shop on the high street, with ever more parking restrictions, low traffic neighbourhoods and introduction of cycle lanes”, he said.
His daughter Shefali introduced the charity appeal, which this year was in aid of the research at Imperial College of Dr Jiri Pavlu, who works at Hammersmith Hospital. His patients included Shefali’s grandmother Parvatibenm who he treated for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A worthy and appropriate cause, and a somber moment in a joyous and successful evening honouring Asian Trader award winners.
Kalpesh Solanki with Andrew Yaxley
Other product and manufacturer awards
Convenience Snacks Brand of the Year supported by Sunmark Ltd: Kurkure, PepsiCo
Convenience Soft Drinks Bottled Water and Juices Brand of the Year supported by Sunmark Ltd: Relentless Zero Sugar, CCEP
Convenience Confectionery Brand of the Year supported by Sunmark Ltd: Cadbury Caramilk Buttons, Mondelez International
Convenience Vape and Next Generation Product Brand of the Year: Nordic Spirit Spearmint, JTI
JAGUAR LAND ROVER (JLR) said on Friday it is working "at pace" to resolve a cyber incident that has severely affected its retail and production activities. Factory staff have been told to stay at home until at least early next week.
The company disclosed the breach on Tuesday, the latest in a series of cyber and ransomware attacks against businesses globally. Companies such as Marks & Spencer and Co-op have also been hit by breaches in recent years.
JLR, owned by Tata Motors, said it acted immediately by shutting down its systems to limit the impact. In an emailed statement on Friday, it said there was no evidence at this stage that customer data had been taken.
"We are now working at pace to restart our global applications in a controlled manner," JLR said. "Our retail and production activities have been severely disrupted."
The company, Britain’s largest automotive employer with about 33,000 staff, said factory workers will remain at home until at least Tuesday.
Marks & Spencer, which suffered a major hack earlier this year, said the disruption over several months cost it around 300 million pounds in lost operating profit.
JLR has already faced difficulties this year. In July, it reported a near 11 per cent quarterly sales fall, partly due to a temporary halt in US shipments after the administration of Donald Trump imposed tariffs on all car imports.
Although exports to the US resumed in May, JLR cut its main profit margin target for fiscal 2026 to 5 per cent-7 per cent, down from 10 per cent, citing uncertainty over US tariff policy. The company has also been facing weaker demand in China and slower sales in Europe.
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Dawood Pervez (L), managing director at Bestway Wholesale and Katie Secretan, managing director of Co-op Wholesale
A NEW partnership has been formed between Co-op Wholesale and Costcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG) to support independent retailers across the UK.
Goes beyond the standard supply deal, it aims to bring the combined expertise and resources of both businesses together, helping local retailers compete in an increasingly tough convenience market, a statement said on Thursday (4).
Katie Secretan, managing director of Co-op Wholesale, welcomed the move. She said: “I am delighted to announce this new agreement which goes further than just a supply deal; we are jointly focused on true partnership as the key ingredient for mutual success, as we collectively support independent retailers to grow through our market leading propositions.”
The deal ensures that Costcutter stores will continue to benefit from Co-op Wholesale’s full-service convenience model, including access to Co-op’s well-known own-brand products.
Dawood Pervez, managing director of Bestway Wholesale, which owns Costcutter, said the agreement builds on a strong existing relationship. “The continuation of our collaboration will see Costcutter stores continue to benefit from the market-leading full-service convenience model from Co-op Wholesale, including access to the iconic and best in class Co-op own brand products. Both businesses are committed to working together to continuously improve the offer, supporting retailer growth in an evolving market,” he said.
Bestway Wholesale, part of the Bestway Group, is one of the UK’s largest independent food and drink wholesalers. Founded in 1976, the company has grown to operate 62 depots across the country and generates a turnover of around £3 billion. It supplies more than 100,000 retailers and 7,000 symbol and franchise operators, as well as running over 200 of its own company-owned stores.
The group also manages brands including Costcutter, best-one and Bargain Booze, and services a wide range of businesses in retail, catering, foodservice and specialist pet supplies.
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India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure would be simplified from four slabs to two, with reductions across several sectors. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA announced a major cut in consumption taxes on Wednesday, days after the United States imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods.
India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure would be simplified from four slabs to two, with reductions across several sectors. In some cases, levies have been reduced by more than half.
The tax changes will make a range of consumer goods, including soap bars and motorbikes, cheaper. However, the move could add pressure on government finances.
The announcement comes after US president Donald Trump imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on imports from India, raising concerns of a slowdown.
Sitharaman said the GST cuts were not linked to the tariff issue. "These reforms have been planned for a long time," she said.
India's prime minister Narendra Modi welcomed the measures. "The wide ranging reforms will improve lives of our citizens and ensure ease of doing business for all, especially small traders and businesses," his office said in a social media statement.
The revised system removes tax on insurance premiums, including life and health coverage. Levies on motorbikes and small cars have been reduced from 28 per cent to 18 per cent.
A finance ministry note also said dozens of life-saving drugs will now be tax exempt.
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Jio Platforms includes India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio Infocomm, with more than 500 million users. (Photo: Reuters)
RELIANCE Industries plans to take its telecom and digital arm, Jio Platforms, public by mid-2026, chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Friday. The announcement sets a new timeline for the long-awaited IPO of a business analysts value at over $100 billion.
At its annual general meeting (AGM), Reliance also announced the launch of an artificial intelligence unit in partnership with Google and Meta.
Ambani had first indicated plans in 2019 to list Jio within five years. On Friday, he told shareholders the company is preparing to file for an IPO next year.
Reuters reported in July that Jio decided against launching an IPO in 2025. Analysts at the time valued the company at over $100 billion.
Jio Platforms includes India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio Infocomm, with more than 500 million users. Backed by investors such as Meta, Google and KKR, the business is central to Ambani’s move to diversify Reliance beyond oil and chemicals into retail, consumer and technology. AI and international expansion are now key areas of growth.
Reliance is also investing $8.8 billion in its chemicals business. It expects retail to grow sales by nearly 10 per cent a year on a like-for-like basis and plans to add 2,000–3,000 new stores annually.
“Jio is not being fully valued within Reliance's broader petrochemicals and retail portfolio, and a separate listing would help unlock higher value for the telecom and digital unit,” said Saurabh Parikh, senior analyst at ICRA Ltd.
AI Unit with Meta and Google
Reliance and Meta announced a new AI joint venture with an initial investment of around $100 million. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the AGM the venture will provide Meta’s open-source AI models to Indian businesses.
Google will partner with Reliance to deploy AI across energy, retail, telecom and financial services. It will also set up a Jamnagar Cloud region dedicated to Reliance, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said at the meeting.
The partnerships come as India-US relations face tensions following US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports in response to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
Reliance runs the world’s largest refining complex in Gujarat and is India’s biggest buyer of Russian oil.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Asda sales fell 0.2 per cent in the three months to June 30, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)
THE chairman of Asda has admitted the supermarket chain still faces challenges after sales slipped again over the summer, but said the completion of a major IT overhaul was crucial for its recovery.
Allan Leighton told the Times that the long-delayed technology project, called Project Future, had finally been finished after years of setbacks and costs exceeding £1 billion. The work involved separating more than 2,500 systems inherited from former owner Walmart, following Asda’s 2021 takeover by TDR Capital.
Describing the programme, he said it might be “the biggest IT systems change, certainly in Europe, maybe ever”. He added: “The cost is material, but largely that is now behind us.”
The supermarket acknowledged that the switchover had caused “temporary disruption with product availability” both online and in stores, which would weigh on sales through to September.
Leighton explained: “We’ve been doing 50 stores a week, every week, for 10 weeks. The collective scale of that does cause some friction… so that’s where the impact has been.”
Leighton, who rejoined Asda last November after previously leading the business in the 1990s, has focused on price cuts and improving stock levels. He said he did not expect “any miracles” but stressed that completing the IT work and reducing distractions was “very critical” for the turnaround.
Asda has been pouring money into a Rollbackprogramme of price reductions to compete with Tesco, Sainsbury’s and the fast-growing discount chains Aldi and Lidl. The grocer said its average reduction under the scheme was about 22 per cent.
He also voiced concern about government policy, warning that chancellor Rachel Reeves’s approach could push up prices. “There’s no doubt all of this is hitting the pocket of the consumer. And when that happens, that’s not particularly good for anybody. I think there’s more gloom than we’ve seen for a long time,” he was quoted as saying. He added that Reeves risked driving up food bills by “taxing everything in some way shape or form.”
Sales at Asda fell 0.2 per cent in the three months to June 30, excluding fuel, while turnover edged down to £5.3bn. Earlier in the year, sales had fallen nearly 6 per cent.
Data from research firm Kantar showed the supermarket’s market share dropped further over the summer, with sales down 2.6 per cent. Aldi is now close to overtaking Asda as the UK’s third-largest grocer.
Leighton pointed to other parts of the business as bright spots. George, Asda’s clothing and homeware arm, posted 2.5 per cent like-for-like growth, while its convenience format Asda Express rose 8.6 per cent, outpacing the wider market. “We’re more than just a supermarket,” he said, highlighting its clothing stores, cafés and opticians.
Retail analyst Clive Black of Shore Capital said, “Asda’s Q2 performance is not yet at a stage of putting up the bunting, but we are pleased to see for all those in Leeds the signs of improvement, which we anticipate will now follow through into forthcoming quarters.”