Read what’s happening in the convenience & independent retail space. Who are the latest innovators & winners in this marginalised retail sector?
Parents can now find an even bigger range of trusted baby products right on their doorstep with The Co-operative Food’s latest arrivals – all the same great value. Shortlisted for an award with Mother and Baby Magazine, the convenience retailer’s
Spar stores and customers across the North of England have helped to raise £200,000 for the NSPCC’s ChildLine Schools Service simply by having a bite to eat. The money has been raised since 2011 through a sandwich promotion on a
The Co-operative Food has launched a range of fresh, hot ready-to-eat meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With more people eating on the go or ‘al-desko’ at work, the convenience retailer reports its food-to-go additions are available in city centre-based food
Danfoss, a global leader focused on energy-efficient solutions that save energy and costs, and reduce carbon emissions, reveals the true costs of running a convenience store refrigeration system While important, the initial purchase price of new equipment is only a part of
Spar’s streamlined consolidation centre system is annually reducing the number of road miles its delivery lorries take by 7.4m miles – a huge jump in productivity and fantastic news for the environment, the retailer reports. The consolidation centre is reported to be an exceptional
One Stop Stores reports it is set to expand its single pick facility across fresh fruit and vegetables, following endorsements from its franchise stores. The convenience retailer has also completed a conference roadshow for 1,100 colleagues and welcomed 100 franchisees
One Stop Franchise has unveiled its 50th store, as it continues to create nterest amongst independent retailers. The 50th store to sign up to One Stop’s franchise model is located on Mosley Common Road in Boothstown, Manchester. Currently trading as
A team from The Midcounties Co-operative put their bikes into gear to tackle an exhausting 500km Paris to Geneva cycle challenge, raising £15,000 for charity partner Teenage Cancer Trust. Four colleagues from The Midcounties Co-operative completed the four-day challenge by
Independent Spar retailers can thrive by focusing upon their point of difference in the marketplace and the unique position that they are in to win the ‘mission battle’. That was the key message from this year’s Blakemore Trade Partners Spar
The latest One Stop franchise store has opened in Kibblesworth, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. The launch event was held on 6 September 2014. The mayor, local school children and personnel from One Stop and the Post Office, helped the Thandi family celebrate
HKS Retail, a leading operator of filling stations and convenience stores nationally, has embarked on a joint venture with Spar and Blakemore Trade Partners. On 8 August 2014 HKS Retail launched its first Spar forecourt store on Ashby Road in Ibstock,
The Midcounties Co-operative has been named as the only UK co-operative in the inaugural TOP COOP international competition shortlist, for its initiative to educate colleagues on what it means to be a co-operative. The awards are held at the International
One Stop Stores looks set to shatter its community volunteering targets for the year, following a successful Volunteering Month in August. One Stop colleagues more than doubled their volunteering to 1,549 hours during 2013/14. In the first five months of
Continued investment in technology, increased productivity and improving operating cost efficiencies helped Glasgow-based JW Filshill, the multi award-winning independent wholesaler and owner of the KeyStore convenience store brand, achieve a turnover of £158m in the year to January 31, 2014
Spar UK is back on screens in August with two new adverts as part of the retailer’s £3mspend this year on its media campaign. From 4–11 August, an updated Spar brand ad will hit screens, edited to showcase the most impactful scenes with
Spar UK claims its digital activity is leading the way in UK symbol groups, with its online domain attracting record visitors each month. Since Spar’s launch into social media in November, the leading convenience symbol group said it has seen
Spar Express is expanding in Germany in a new deal in partnership with the EDEKA group and food and drink travel operator SSP. A total of 40 of SSP’s own brand Point outlets are set to be rebranded under the Spar Express name
James Hall & Co, the Spar wholesaler for the North of England, has hosted this year’s Spar International Future Leaders conference, welcoming 36 people from 11 Spar countries to Preston. Delegates from across the globe all had the opportunity to
Local community groups are being offered the chance to apply for grants of up to £2,000 from The Midcounties Co-operative’s Community Fund. The Society is now accepting applications from local charity groups and voluntary organisations that provide services that meet
Ben Reid, chief executive at The Midcounties Co-operative, strapped up his walking boots to face a gruelling 194-mile coast-to-coast challenge to help raise over £4,700 for Teenage Cancer Trust. Reid completed the walk from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay in
Spar Hackney has opened a new concept store and restaurant on the site of a former cinema in partnership with Blakemore Trade Partners. The new Spar is said to combine a unique range of fixtures and fittings with an expertly selected
The Co-operative Food is providing customers with a range of ice creams and ice lollies as part of its new summer food offering. The convenience retailer’s range, is now in stores nationwide and is said to be a must for those
The Co-operative Food claims it is introducing the UK’s most environmentally sustainable bin liners using household plastic from across the country in a bid to make use of some of the 700,000 tonnes sent to landfill every year. The retailer’s
Members of The Midcounties Co-operative are among those set to receive a share of more than £1.6m as the Society announces its largest share of profits payments to date. The payments follow the Society’s record 24% increase in gross sales
The Co-operative Food is extending its Free From own-brand offering with a host of new products. From tasty everyday staples to indulgent treats, the convenience retailer said it is adding 15 new lines to its Free From range, to offer even more
