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WEEKLY SLICEWEEKLY SLICE Friday 3 July 2026r d Mathew GoodmanAdam WelsfordWhat a week! The exceptional heat certainly made trading difficult and with so many people looking for lighter options, sales didn't quite match where we were this time last year. That said, there's a lot to celebrate. The way everyone managed stock was absolutely first class. To finish the week with overall waste at just 7% in those conditions is a fantastic achievement. It shows great planning, sensible ordering and real care across all the stores and retail vans. A massive well done to everyone involved. A special mention to Rachel, who once again beat last year's sales on RT10. Brilliant effort, Rachel – keep it up! There have been a few changes in the best-sellers too. Meat Patties have now knocked Jumbo Sausage Rolls off the top spot to become our number one savoury, while the Biscoff Brownie is still reigning supreme as our favourite fancy. Our Meal Deals continue to go from strength to strength, with more than 2,000 sold last week. Brimble’s absolutely smashed it with nearly 300 Meal Deals sold and Phillippa had a fantastic week too, selling well over 120. Those are brilliant numbers and show just how much difference great upselling makes. Finally, thank you all for digging in and getting through such a difficult week. Whether you're in one of the stores or out on the vans, every one of you plays a part. Your hard work, commitment and team spirit never go unnoticed. Quite simply, without you, we have nothing. Thank you .I hope everyone has had a great week. While the warmer weather has brought some challenges, the expansion of our chilled range has continued to attract customers in great numbers. With more warm spells expected over the coming weeks, please keep the weather at the forefront of your minds when planning stock levels and placing orders. Our aim is to keep waste between 5% and 7%, so careful forecasting will be key. We're also continuing to invest in product development, with further additions planned to build on the success of our summer range. It's great to see customers responding so positively to these new products. Our stock levels remain healthy at just below 40,000, putting us in a strong position as we head further into the summer. Many of you will no doubt be following England's journey in this year's World Cup. Looking ahead to Monday's England vs Mexico match, we've made adjustments where possible to shift times and product availability to give everyone the opportunity to watch the game if they wish. While I encourage everyone to enjoy the match, please do so responsibly and ensure you're fit for work for your next scheduled shift. Thank you all for your continued hard work and commitment. Have a great week, and come on England!
World Cup Match Guidance – Sunday 5th July As excitement builds for Monday’s World Cup match, we want to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the game while ensuring we continue to operate safely and effectively for our customers. To help support colleagues who choose to watch the match, we will be making the following provisions: Production and Drivers Production schedules will be adjusted so that no shift starts required before 4:00am on Monday morning (optional) Colleagues working in Production may use smartphones/tablets to follow the match. Alternatively, you are welcome to watch the match on the TV in the canteen during breaks. Retail Stores and Retail Vans Belgium & Chelsea Buns will be unavailable on Monday and some other morning goods and fancies may be received on later drops Selected Stores; Ivybridge, Southway & Royal Parade will not receive uncooked on Monday , operating from frozen stock instead. We anticipate fewer customers visiting our stores early in the day, which should help ease the morning workload. We hope these arrangements allow everyone the chance to enjoy the match if they wish. We are all on the same team, and we want colleagues to be able to support their side without worrying about an early kick-off at work. However, while we are making these temporary adjustments, it is important to remember that our attendance and sickness policies remain in place throughout the World Cup. Any unauthorised absences are likely to be investigated in line with company procedures. We would also like to remind everyone that while many people may choose to enjoy a drink or two while watching the match: Employees must not attend work under the influence of alcohol. Anyone found consuming alcohol at work, or working while under the influence of alcohol, may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with company policy. Thank you for your cooperation and professionalism. Whatever the result on let's make sure we start the week safely, responsibly and ready to deliver a winning performance for our customers. We hope everyone who watches the match enjoys the occasion.Colleague Announcements Happy Birthday to: Happy FM Anniversary to:Alex ShepheardTim Floyd✨ Something exciting is coming your way... ✨ The invitations for our 2026 Christmas Party are about to land, and this year we're bringing something a little different to the festive season. We've listened to your feedback and created a celebration that's set to be bigger, better, and packed with Christmas spirit. We can't wait to share what's in store and hope you'll be as excited about it as we are. Keep an eye out for your invitation — Christmas 2026 is shaping up to be one to remember!