Beyond the counter: bridging the profit gap
Published on: Oct 31, 2025
Retail’s Best is back on 6 November with a powerful instalment focused on Convenience, Food and Franchise - three pillars shaping the future of the retail landscape.
As retailers grapple with tightening margins, rising costs and pressure on traditional categories, the need to diversify and innovate has never been greater. One of the strongest growth opportunities lies in food-to-go and food service.
“But success won’t come from simply installing a hot-food counter and hoping for the best. That’s not a strategy - it’s a missed opportunity,” says Moiz Vas, Founder of Retail’s Best.
This edition’s retailer-led panel discussion, titled “Beyond the Counter: Bridging the Profit Gap,” will explore how retailers can evolve beyond traditional models, build stronger customer experiences and unlock new profit streams.
UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL
The panel will explore how retailers can unlock the next wave of food-to-go growth. From kiosks and concessions to shop-in-shop models, we’ll examine high-return, lower-risk formats that fit seamlessly into high-footfall retail environments. They will look at how smart partnerships with leading brands can transform underutilised space into profitable food-to-go destinations.
Guy Ousey, former Head of Retail Insight & Event Content at the IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution), is the panel chair for the first time. With his deep sector knowledge and dynamic approach, it’s sure to be a lively and insightful debate.
PANELLISTS
The panellists are:
- Shamly Sud – Operates 6 award-winning forecourts and 5 stand-alone stores in Glasgow, blending in-house brands Tubbees and Hoagies with franchises like Subway.
- Sunder Sandher – Runs an award-winning One Stop in the West Midlands and a franchise portfolio including Heavenly Desserts, WingKingz and Karak Chaii.
- Harris Aslam – Operates a Scottish family business with 27 Greens Retail stores and franchises including Pizza Hut and Iceland.
- Nick Smith – Central Services Director at The Southern Co-op with 190 company-owned stores, 77 Welcome stores, 83 Starbucks outlets and a new franchise with Wenzel’s Bakery.
RETAIL’S BEST
Retail’s Best takes place on 6 November. This by-invitation-only event takes place in the evening and includes breakout-sessions, a drinks reception, signature dining experience and a ‘smart exhibition’, with plenty of time for networking. Retail’s Best creates the perfect environment to enable effortless networking opportunities, build new connections, spend quality time with decision makers, share business inspiration and grow businesses.
If you are a progressive retailer or innovative supplier and would like to find out more, go to: https://retailsbe.st/register
By Retail´s Best
