Spar and Premier retailers first to offer drink spiking prevention kits in UK

Daniall Nadeem of Spar Motherwell Road in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, and Girish Jeeva of Girish’s Premier in Glasgow will be the first UK retailers to offer the Xantus Drink Spiking Prevention Kits, in August.

Xantus Drinkcheck Wristband is worn like a regular wristband and includes test patches built into the band. Customers simply apply a drop of their drink onto the test area with a straw or stirrer. If the patch changes colour, it signals the presence of common drink spiking agents. The results are discreet without drawing attention.

The initiative comes in response to increasing drink spiking incidents across Scotland. Nadeem and Jeeva, were RN 30 Under 30 winners in 2023, and both won the #ThinkSmart Innovation Award at the recent Scottish Local Retailer Awards.

“We believe prevention is the key to public safety,” they said in a statement. “This is not just about selling a product; it’s about giving people confidence to enjoy a night out safely. These kits are small, easy-to-use, discreet, and help customers act quickly if they suspect their drink has been spiked. It is a powerful message to our community that their safety matters to us, and we want to support them in every way we can.”

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How will the drink spiking prevention kits be displayed and promoted?

Xantus Drinkcheck Wristbands are available in three pack sizes

• Xantus Single Use Breathalysers 3 pack RRP £11.99
• Two-test wristband pack: £7.99–£8.99
• Four-test wristband pack: £11.99–£12.99

The range will be located on a dedicated floor display stand near the alcohol section. This is so shoppers can purchase them alongside their alcoholic drinks. The stand will feature images showing the wristbands in use, with popular drink spiking awareness hashtags to boost visibility and drive impulse purchases.

Additionally, there will also be in-store flyers and pop-up banners with vital safety information, including statistics on drink spiking. A representative from Ninja Guardian, the exclusive UK supplier of Xantus products, will visit the store to discuss the products and giving shoppers safety tips.

Further promotions will be run via Spar Motherwell Road and Girish Premier’s social media platforms, as well as on Snappy Shopper and Ninja Guardian.

“The wristbands have already been introduced in coffee shops and bars locally, and orders have been placed by universities and colleges in preparation for Freshers’ Week,” says Danny Panesar, UK sales director of Ninja Guardian.

What do the drink spiking prevention kits offer shoppers?

“Feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive as customers appreciate the sense of control and peace of mind the drink spiking prevention kits offer. All Xantus products have been laboratory-tested and accredited by DAkkS in Germany, which is equivalent to UKAS accreditation in the UK, ensuring their scientific reliability.”

Jeeva and Nadeem will offer in-store and online bulk promotions featuring a full “night out safety kit,” including wristbands, breathalysers, and drink covers. Alongside this they will continue to raise awareness by working with colleges and university students as well as women’s groups.

“It is absolutely the right thing for both retailers and hospitality businesses to offer products that help protect customers from the threat of drink spiking. By setting the RRP at a reasonable and repeat-purchase-friendly price point, customers are encouraged to prioritise their safety on a regular basis,” said Jeeva.

“For example, if the average bottle of wine is £9.99, and a glass around £4.49, these kits fall within an acceptable add-on price range, with typical retailer margins around 40%,” he explained, adding that as both stores remain open 24 hours, a last-minute delivery can also be facilitated.

Source - https://www.betterretailing.com/br/product-news/exclusive-spar-and-premier-retailers-become-uk-first-to-offer-drink-spiking-prevention-kits/