Thanks to winning the first ever ThinkSmart Innovation at this year’s SLR Rewards, Spar Leven Street owner Omar Nasir picked up a new Apple Watch, as well as the satisfaction of knowing his hard work is paying off.
Created in 2003 to recognise and reward innovation and excellence in Scottish c-stores, the SLR Rewards have blossomed into a unique event in the UK retailing calendar. To keep up with the changes in local retailing, three new categories were introduced this year to give innovative, progressive retailers more chances to win. These are Ecigs Retailer of the Year, Team of the Year, and the ThinkSmart Innovation Award.
There’s no doubt that technology plays an important role in any modern c-store. Sponsored by Paypoint, the ThinkSmart Innovation Award recognises the most inventive uses of technology in Scottish c-stores.
Motherwell Spar retailer Omar Nasir was the very first recipient of this award thanks to a highly innovative tobacco gantry that he introduced into his store.
Omar’s next-generation tobacco vending machine gantry has LED screens that make great use of ‘lost’ space behind the till while also increasing security and reducing shrinkage.
A twin door unit holds 96 product lines and a separate single door unit holds 48. The dividers inside are moveable and so as range reviews take place, changes can easily be accommodated. “You just press a button on the till and the pack dispenses itself, meaning you don’t have to go through the flaps searching for a product,” says Omar. The screens on the gantry also allow Omar to display rotating special offers, advertisements and local community information and charity news to his customers. The screens are linked to other screens set up around the store with one a 32” TV in the shop window dedicated to taking customer communication to the next level.
Steve O’Neill, Group Marketing Director at category sponsor, PayPoint, says: “At PayPoint, we’re proud of our 20-year history of tech-led innovation so we were especially proud to sponsor the ThinkSmart Innovation Award.”
“Our congratulations to category winner, Omar Narsir of Spar Leven St, who picked up the award for both his vision and commitment to sourcing a next generation vending machine-style gantry which features three digital screens, allowing him to advertise products and information to his customers.”
