Tim Palmer Londis is firing the latest salvo in the battle to convince consumers that convenience stores can be competitive pre-Christmas. It is blitzing consumers with a million leaflets detailing its seasonal bargains across the alcohol fixture, which will go into stores on November 19, two weeks ahead of the multiples. The big chains are set to unveil their major seasonal deals at the beginning of December. Trading controller Gary Maloney said: "We think we have won the battle to make consumers aware that c-stores are not as expensive as people think and we have been working with suppliers on this for a long time. "We know we have to be in line with the major multiples and at the same time offer prices that give retailers enough margin to work on." Leaflet drops are a regular part of the Londis armoury. This one is its biggest of the year and Maloney has no doubt that it pays dividends. Last year a similar campaign helped increase pre-Christmas sales by 14%, he claimed. "It will be a highly competitive Christmas but we have a pretty good package," he said. Londis retailers can pick up business from smaller families and single people who do not need to go to a major multiple, particularly stores in rural areas. "A village store with a good offer will always win over the nearest multiple which could be 10 miles away." Maloney has steered away from deals on litre bottles of spirits and big packs of beer where the multiples will be competing. His offers include three-for- £10 wine deals on bottles of Stowells of Chelsea, Forton de France and Blue Nun, and a two-for-£10 offer on Gallo's Turning Leaf wines. The price has been cut on Baileys Irish Cream and Smirnoff vodka to £9.99 and two Bacardi Breezer four packs are on offer at £8. Special prices on beer include £12.99 for a 24-pack of 275ml bottles of Grolsch and 12 cans of Fosters at £6.99. {{DRINKS }}

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