From Scratchcard to Van: How one retailer won big
A simple scratchcard entry turned into a game-changing moment for Ram Khunti. Now the proud owner of a brand-new electric van, discover how this win is helping take his business even further.
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What started as a simple competition entry has turned into a huge win for one independent retailer. Through a McVitie’s scratchcard promotion, store owners had the chance to win instant vouchers and cash prizes when purchasing selected products — with the ultimate prize being an electric van. For Ram Khunti, owner of St Nicholas Village Store, that top prize is now a reality.
A win that almost didn’t feel real
The moment the store found out they’d won was anything but straightforward.
Ram’s nephew, Subhash, was working behind the counter when he received the call congratulating them on winning the electric van.
“I was just shocked,” he said, explaining that he didn’t know what he was saying and asked the caller to call back later while he processed the news.
Subhash then called his uncle, Ram, who was on holiday in India. At first, Ram told him to ignore it, assuming it could be a scam. But Subhash wasn’t convinced.
He spent the following week carrying out due diligence, contacting the pladis Field Sales team and customer services to confirm the win — and the rest is history.
A van like this is a lifesaver for us. It’s a lot for us, so now we can move our business even further.
Ram Khunti, Owner of St Nicholas Village Store
A win that's transformational
For Ram, who has owned St Nicholas Village Store for nearly eight years, the win is more than just exciting — it’s transformational.
"All credit to Subhash who wouldn’t let it go and had belief it was true," Ram said.
"Honestly, for a small business like ours, we always need a van. We’re not part of a group, so a reliable van is essential for us to get to the Cash and Carry often."
Driven by strong partnerships
The store has built a strong relationship with their pladis Field Sales Rep, Kane, who visits regularly and supports the business.
And it’s not just in-store support that’s making a difference.
As a Better Biscuits member since June 2025, Ram and his team regularly use the platform to grow their business.
Using Better Biscuits we’ve seen our sales grow up and up
“Before, we just kept what we thought were the essential products. Now we try new things — and sales are growing.”
Ready to grow your sales?
Better Biscuits gives you the tools, insights and rewards to help your store perform at its best — from Free stock and POS kits to expert advice and competitions.
If you’re not already a member, now’s the time to get involved.