Acosta Europe Shares Convenience Channel Insights at Partners for Growth Retailer Advisory Panel
Closer Retailer-Supplier Collaboration is Key to Unlock Sales Opportunities in Convenience, Expert Retailer Panel Finds
LONDON, UK – April 13, 2026
Acosta Europe and The Partners for Growth Retailer Advisory Panel met recently, to explore how, through improved supplier engagement and collaboration, retailers could help boost their sales, during what was acknowledged to be one of the most challenging trading environments panel members could remember.
Hosted at the London offices of Acosta Europe partner Kraft Heinz, the session brought together award-winning independent retailers and industry specialists, to explore the current state of the convenience channel, including the broader trading environment, key challenges, and the factors shaping future growth across symbols, fascias and wholesale relationships. Acosta Europe shared research‑led insights designed to prompt open discussion around the opportunities and pain points facing convenience retailers today.
Discussions included, how relationships between stores and sales representatives could be strengthened, the importance of targeted and category advice, and how insight‑led decision‑making can support profitable growth. The Retailer Advisory Panel highlighted the growing need to combine data, technology, training and two‑way communication to meet the evolving needs of the convenience channel.
Read: Navigating the UK Convenience Retail Channel
The meeting was chaired by Steven Rodgers of Partners for Growth, alongside Independent Consultant Sarah Ingram, with invaluable contributions from members of The Partners for Growth Retailer Advisory Panel, representing a wide range of regions and fascias. Acosta Europe was represented by Melissa Priest, Data and Insights Director.
I really enjoyed meeting the panel and hearing such open and honest perspectives on what works, what doesn’t and where suppliers and partners can raise the bar. We came away with lots of ideas and practical thinking as to how we can better support the convenience channel in ways that truly matter to retailers
It was encouraging to see Acosta Europe engage so openly and constructively with panel members, many of whom have worked closely since its launch in 2009. It created a valuable opportunity to share practical ideas to help Acosta Europe raise the game when it comes to the effectiveness of field sales calls and ultimately deliver stronger outcomes for the convenience channel.
For more information about Partners for Growth, visit partnersforgrowth.co.uk.
