Dear Reader,

Spar, the most international retailer in the world, is driving convenience developments with the opening of its first larger format Eurospar stores on the UK mainland. The bite-size supermarkets extend Spar's range and deliver strong value, especially through the retailer's recent own label launches.

In the United States, Mintel reports that private labels provide more than cheap alternatives to brands they are spearheading product development and, as a result, driving sales growth. In addition, Datamonitor reports on a growing acceptance of private labels among consumers, and expects consistent consumption even when economic conditions improve.

When that happier time might occur was discussed by business leaders who attended the CIES World Business Summit in New York. Among their top takeaways; a need to innovate and provide consumers with solutions, not just lower prices.

Retailers vying to win the first Insight/NACS International Convenience Retailer of Year Award demonstrate these concepts in spades. In this edition we reveal the retailers from around globe who will be competing for this top award. Judges are now shortlisting their entries and next month you will be able to vote for your favourite online.

Rewarding retail excellence has never been so convenient.

Fiona Briggs, Editor

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Future of International Convenience Retailing 2009 London

Convenience Knowledge Bank