Franchise & fascia report 2026: the numbers behind the storefronts

No comments

Bargain Booze, Select Convenience & Wine Rack

Owner: Bestway

Store numbers December 2025: 455 (-75)

Store number December 2024: 530

Type: Franchise

Membership costs: £1,650 per year

Delivery costs: Free

Minimum contract: N/A

Minimum order levels: £2,500 (excluding tobacco)

Minimum order: £2,500 per week

Rebate: Up to 4%

Online delivery partners: Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Jisp, Just Eat.

Other benefits:

Become part of the UK’s largest off license chain with access to the best-in-class alcohol range working with a dedicated BDM to support retailers in developing their business, building joint business plans and supporting with all aspects of running a store.
National advertising via dedicated social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Retailers have access to all digital assets to feature on their own store social media pages.
A new POS kit is delivered every 4 weeks providing retailers with shelf edge labels, leaflets, posters, stack cards and much more, supporting seasonal and event driven promotions. Retailers have access to an online portal to order extra collateral for their stores.
A comprehensive implementation guide is provided to guide retailers through each promotion set up.
Supporting new and re-fitted stores to get the best start with a marketing launch package: including advice on how to drive sales locally. We make stores more discoverable quickly when customers are searching for local drinks and service providers on-line.
Weekly emails informing customers about our promotions and driving footfall to stores.
7 day a week customer support available.
A managed EPoS solution.
HR support for in-store recruitment.
Three events per year with access to industry experts to advise on future trends and opportunities to help maximise growth.
We offer a market-leading consumer offer across both range and price for the independent/convenience market, delivering both range depth and breadth along with rotational one-off products. The offer also includes several EDLP promotions to complement deep discounts and have a dedicated Franchise development team that is fully involved with the retailer’s business plans.
We provide wholesale data for each promotional period, to enable retailers to buy the stock at the right time to allow them to maximise their profit margins, and allow volume-based purchases, which are not limited.
Our EPoS solution provides hands off ease of use for the retailer, we do all the work centrally to make sure the costs, retails and multi deals are all ready to go at the start of the promotional period, and aligned with the digital and marketing leading promotional package instore, enabling retailers to maximise their sales and save time.
As innovators, we were the pioneers behind Beer Caves in retail, which was one of our USPs at the time, alongside the expertise in managing the range for them.
As a full delivered franchisee, we also have access to exclusive products that aren’t available in other cash and carry’s giving retailers a point of difference to attract in new customers.
We provide our retailers with a way to grow their sales via a choice of delivery partners (Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Jisp and Just Eat).
The margin opportunities we offer our retailers are leading the way across our excellent Vape range.

Services: Fascia, EPoS system, support with shopfitting design and implementation if required.

USP:

Part of the Bestway Retail group of fascia stores - the only group that has a format and can support business plans for every type of convenience retailer.
Multiple franchise fascia to choose from. The dedicated Bargain Booze Drinks at Home Event offers access to industry experts as well as access to the main Bestway Retail Showcase.

Best-one

Owner: Bestway Wholesale

Store numbers December 2025: 1744 (+88)

Store number December 2024: 1,656

Type: Symbol Group

Membership Costs: £0

Delivery costs: Ambient, above £1,250 (ex-Tobacco) £0, Ambient, between £1,000 - £1,250 (exc. Tobacco) £30

Minimum contract: Three years

Minimum order levels: Ambient, £1,250 (excl. Tobacco), chilled £100 if placed alongside ambient order

Minimum order spend: £5,000 per week.

Rebate: Up to 5%

Online delivery partners: Jisp, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat.

Other benefits:

Dedicated best-one BDM team to support retailers and develop their store to drive business performance.
Access to x13 four weekly promotions per annum to drive footfall and sales.
Access to the Bestway National depot network for delivered and collect.
A comprehensive point of sale kit at no charge which includes window posters, stack cards, shelf talkers with supporting promotion implementation guides is sent directly to stores.
Retailers have access to an online portal to order extra collateral for their stores.
Up to 2,000 best-one 6-page consumer leaflets at no charge* sent directly to stores each promotional period. (*carriage charge only applies).
A comprehensive implementation guide is provided to guide retailers through each promotion set up.
Team of category and range planners work with market insights to determine the best product ranges by subcategory, by store size all in the effort to help retailers maximise their sales profit and footfall.
Recently refreshed & simplified ‘My Rewards’ rebates offer retailers up to 5% back on spend which can be used to invest in store development projects.
Best-one Vault – our portal that services retailers to order all of the key essentials they need to operate their store, including uniform, additional POS, seasonal sales aides, etc.
Supporting new and re-fitted stores to get the best start with a marketing launch package. We make stores more discoverable quickly when customers are searching for local drinks and service providers on-line

Services:

An industry leading B2B website for ordering.
A focussed B2C website for shopper promotions and marketing.
Both a collect and delivered service through one network.
We provide retailers with ways of growing their sales via last mile delivery partners: Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Jisp and Just Eat.
Our Retail Tobacco Club offers retailers the opportunity to drive footfall through their Tobacco Sales.
We drive efficiencies in our delivery operations to maximise delivery loads and routes in order to pass on better value to our retailers.
Being part of the Bestway group means our team of BDMs can identify the right model and format for retailers to maximise their profits based on the store proposition.
Strong field support team, Store Design & Development team, a dedicated marketing package.

USP:

Part of the Bestway Retail group of fascia stores - the only group that has a format and can support business plans for every type of convenience retailer.
“Free and unrivalled access” to industry experts’ advice and insight. Bestway is a family-owned and run business, with the original founder first establishing his own convenience retail store in 1963. From then, the business expanded into wholesale after identifying the need for convenience retailers to have access to better wholesale prices - somewhat of a trailblazer then and remains true today.

Budgens

Owner: Booker

Store numbers December 2025: 446

Store numbers December 2024: 423

Type: Symbol

Membership costs: None

Delivery costs: None

Minimum contract: Three years

Minimum order levels: 125 cases

Minimum order spend: £10k per week 30% Fresh Mix

Rebate: Up to 6%

Online delivery partners: Scoot, Just Eat, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, SnappyShopper.

Other benefits:

Extensive Fresh and Food-to- Go ranges, Fresh food support, Great rebate scheme helping to earn whilst saving, No joining, membership or weekly fees, free marketing support and a dedicated, driven sales team helping support every step of the way.
No joining, membership or weekly fees
Earn up to 6% Spend & Save rebate scheme*
Extensive own brand ranges from entry level to premium
Unrivalled buying power and Group Exclusives
Fresh food support
Free marketing support
Up to six day multi-temperature deliveries plus top-up at your local Booker branch
Free collection of waste cardboard and clear polythene wrap

Services: A comprehensive range of added value service and central billing suppliers for retailers, offering an extra 20,000 SKUs

Biggest achievement of 2025: Our biggest achievement in 2025 has been laying the foundations to position Budgens as a truly distinctive, aspirational convenience brand rooted in local communities. By supporting our retailers to be the best version of themselves, we’ve reaffirmed what has always made Budgens special: fresh food, higher-quality convenience and stores that genuinely reflect the neighbourhoods they serve. Throughout the year, we listened closely to our retail partners and saw first-hand the passion, investment and innovation they bring to their stores - from tailored local ranges and specialist food offers to community sponsorship and online grocery trials. This insight has been central to shaping Budgens, ensuring the brand celebrates our heritage dating back to 1872, while clearly defining what Budgens stands for today and into the future.

Biggest challenge of 2025: We know that independent retailers will continue to face challenges in 2026, including the cost of living, overheads including energy rates, and tightening regulations. However, we continue to see remarkable resilience from our customers across the sector. At Booker, our role is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with retailers, helping them navigate this tough environment with the right mix of value, choice and support. Over the past year we’ve strengthened our estate with hundreds of new symbol stores, and what we hear consistently is that retailers want reliability: tight pricing, strong availability, tailored assortments and practical help in running their business day to day.

Shopper behaviour is also evolving, and that presents opportunity. As households continue to budget carefully, convenience stores are becoming increasingly important for top-up shopping and quick, local missions. We’re helping retailers meet that need with a broader and more relevant range - from fresh and chilled to value-led everyday essentials and meal solutions.

Whether it’s supporting retailers in adapting to new rules, supporting more sustainable ranges and initiatives, or helping them operate more efficiently, we’re committed to giving independents the tools they need to thrive.

We remain focused and optimistic about the year ahead. With the right support, independent stores will continue to play a vital role in local communities. Our focus at Booker is simple: to deliver the best value, the best choice and the best service - so that retailers can stay competitive, grow sustainably and continue serving their customers with confidence in 2026 and beyond.

Plans for 2026: Looking ahead to 2026, our priority is to bring the Budgens brand to life, supporting retailers to deliver a consistently high-quality, community-led shopping experience across the estate. We will continue to invest in helping our partners grow their businesses, attract new shoppers and recruit new retailers by positioning Budgens as an aspirational brand, rather than the traditional convenience pack. By championing fresh food, distinctive ranges and local relevance, and by celebrating the deep community connections our retailers already have, we aim to ensure Budgens not only stands out, but becomes the symbol of choice for independent retailers who want to be at the heart of their communities.

Costcutter

Owner: Bestway Retail

Store numbers December 2025: 1,450 (-14)

Store number December 2024: 1,464

Type: Symbol

Membership costs: None

Delivery costs: N/A

Minimum contract: 3 years

Minimum order levels: 150 cases ambient / BWS / Tobacco / 40 cases chilled / frozen

Minimum weekly spend: £7,500

Rebate: Up to 6%

Online delivery partners: Uber Eats, Jisp and Just Eat.

Other benefits:

Access to over 2,000 Co-op own-brand products, loyalty scheme rewards, a business development manager and marketing support. Retailers can also access a 14,000 SKU range plus access to Direct to Store. Costcutter retailers also receive market-leading digital support, such as social media advice and guidance, ensuring that they can reach their customers effectively. We have centres of excellence with Costcutter now being part of the Bestway Retail family, which is focussed on driving many efficiencies at head office level to ensure best practice is shared across all facias and to sharpen our competitive position in the market by providing every retailer with the best option for them and their store. Fresh/Own Label/Food to go.
High Quality Chilled Offering: As a credible chilled food offer has become increasingly important for consumers, we support our retailers via a chilled distribution centre and an increased range of fresh food in our wholesale depots. As shoppers are looking for enhanced convenience and availability, we support our retailers with quality and breath of range. This year has also seen the introduction of a greater range of long-life fresh products, to include pizzas and ready meals, which offer good value for the consumer and minimise wastage costs for our retailers. For our Costcutter symbol, our stores can access over 2,000 co-op own label products and Costcutter is a nationally recognised brand with an exceptional fresh offer!

Services: Strong field support team, Store Design & Development team, CPoS (in-house EPoS system), Marketing specialists (specialist & dedicated Social Media team).

USP: Part of the Bestway Retail group of fascia stores - the only group that has a format and can support business plans for every type of convenience retailer.

Biggest achievement of 2025: Another successful year of award wins including high profile achievements at The Retail Industry Awards, Asian Trader Awards, Better Retailing Awards and the Convenience Stores award. This includes Triple A retail in Nuneaton retaining significant accolades for a second successive year.

Heavyweight investment into supporting retailers more through upweighting promotions to drive shopper footfall and loyalty.
Marked our 50th year with a high-profile, year-long programme celebrating colleagues, customers and suppliers, from nationwide in-depot activations and promotional campaigns driving footfall throughout 2025, to a flagship anniversary event at London’s Royal Albert Hall, reinforcing Bestway’s scale, heritage and long-term commitment to the independent retail and wholesale sector.
Joined together in a new agreement with Co-op Wholesale and Costcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG). This partnership signals the start of a new opportunity, bringing the collaboration and strength of both businesses, to unlock greater value for independent retailers.
Building on the momentum of Penny Petroleum joining us in 2024 with the conversion of 60 sites, and Simply Fresh re-signing on a long-term basis, we further strengthened our retail estate in 2025 by announcing a new long-term partnership with James Retail - the 40-strong nationwide convenience and travel interchange operator led by industry veteran Jonathan James.

Biggest challenge of 2025:

Continued pressure on costs has been challenging and required an investment of over £10million into cost price reductions on 11,000 best-selling branded products for Costcutter retailers and increased promotional frequency and depth for best-one and Bargain Booze retailers. An unprecedented investment to support retailers at this time – helping them make more margin and remain competitive.
Convenience store owners have faced significant financial challenges in operating their businesses with increasing costs – impacting their profits as well as while seeing consumer behaviour change and the competition intensify. Labour shortages and rising wages have compounded operational pressures, making it difficult to maintain sufficient staffing while balancing profitability.
Balancing these demands while maintaining affordability and accessibility has been a complex hurdle for many convenience stores.

Plans for 2026: At Bestway, we will continue to work collaboratively with our suppliers looking for opportunities to thrive as a business and continue to support our retailers in their profit margins in stocking the right product ranges and great value. We will continue to provide the right products at the right price ensuring we deliver customers value for money.

We will be bringing our customers and shoppers impactful and engaging ‘Group Wide NPD’s’ that are launched across the fascias and in wholesale – helping our retailers drive further incremental sales and for shoppers the latest innovation driving consumer trends.

We will be supporting our retailers in Scotland to be prepared for the new legislation coming in, DRS (Deposit Return Scheme) prior to the October 2027 compliance date.

We work closely with our retailers and have retailer forums enabling retailers to network, share best practise, work through challenges and have access to guest speakers and partners invited along to support gathering insights and trends.

IT investment and further trials of Age Verification Technology.

Unique to Costcutter - our advanced and unique ‘Shopper First growth programme’.

In November we hosted our Bestway Awards – a celebration of success where we bring together retailers’ colleagues and suppliers for awards that give recognition to their achievements- this is business as its best. Guests not only hear who has won an award. but to see what made it so successful. Telling these stories through images, videos and anecdotes will engage the audience and inspire them to push the boundaries, to motivate and strive for future success.

We will tailor solutions to the unique needs of our retailers and optimise our Shopper First program to target key audience demographics to help pinpoint the right offers. This is why we offer a variety of store formats, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for everyone. Whether a bustling city centre outlet, community store or a cosy neighbourhood shop, we’ve got it covered.

Our message in 2026 remains firm: whatever your store and whoever your shopper, Bestway Retail has the right offer. We will continue to support all our store formats. We will bring innovation to our stores, whatever the format and the proposition we have. And we will sharpen our shopper propositions by fascia.

Family Shopper

Owner: Booker Group

Store numbers December 2025: 381

Store numbers December 2024: 297

Type: Symbol

Membership costs: None

Delivery costs: Discuss with your local branch

Minimum contract: Three years

Minimum order levels: N/A

Minimum order spend: Minimum drop of £1,000 non-tobacco

Rebate: Up to 5%* (*Terms & Conditions apply)

Online delivery partners: Scoot, Just Eat, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, SnappyShopper.

Other benefits:

v No joining fees

v Spend & Save discounts of up to 5%*

v Bigger group, exclusive NPD, access to Tobacco Club delivering higher margins

v Free fascia and imagery

v Extensive Vape range

v Access to sustainability initiatives

v Free marketing support

v Fantastic promotional package offering strong retailer margins

v Extended fresh, chilled & frozen range available

v Dedicated Merchandising and Retail Development teams

v Extensive Own Brand ranges

v Every day low price deals across key categories

Services: A comprehensive range of added value service and central billing suppliers for retailers, offering an extra 20,000 SKUs

Go Local

Owner: Employee-owned

Store numbers December 2025: 1,950

Store number December 2024: 1,800

Type: Symbol group

Membership costs: None

Delivery costs: None

Minimum contract: Five years

Minimum order levels: £1,500

Minimum order spend: Subject to turnover

Rebate: 2%

Online delivery partners: Snappy Shopper and Just Eat

Other benefits: Free marketing and digital support, store performance reviews, and access to the best prices and promotions.

Services: National network of retail development advisers to help store owners maximise margin and growth.

USP: Parfetts is owned by its employees, which keeps service focused and margins competitive.

● Biggest achievement of 2025: Opening of Parfetts first depot in the south of England in Southampton. The 113,000 sq ft depot was Parfetts’ ninth UK depot and created more than 100 jobs. It allows us to support retailers across the South Coast and into London.
● The biggest challenge of 2025: Parfetts’ commitment to retailers’ success is evident in our dedicated efforts to safeguard their margins amid challenging market conditions.
● Plans for 2026: Following the successes of 2025, continued expansion of retail presence across the south of England and also in Scotland is a key priority. As part of this growth strategy, we aim to add over 300 symbol stores to our group across the UK in 2026. Parfetts’ digital channels will also continue to be enhanced and expanded to ensure retailers and suppliers benefit from the latest technology.

KeyStore

Owner: JW Filshill

Store Numbers:

December 2025: 225 (No change as brand refresh ongoing to remove older style fascias)
December 2024: 225

Type:

Symbol Group

Membership Costs:

None

Delivery Costs:

None

Minimum Contract:

5 Years

Minimum Order Levels:

50 cases (excluding tobacco & vape)

Minimum Order Spend:

N/A

Rebate:

Negotiable based on spend and scale

Online Delivery Partners:

Snappy Shopper

Other Benefits:

Flexible promotional structure
Three fascia choices
Access to multiple third-party suppliers
Extensive local & premium ranges alongside big brands

Services:

Fully digital end-to-end ordering platform
Unique category management and planograms based on shopper data
EPOS solution including Electronic Shelf Edge Labels
Dedicated development team with retail experience

USP:

Supplier relationships
No.1 wholesaler in UK (15 years running, Advantage Group Report)
No.1 symbol group (5 years running)
Tailored delivery service, world class service
Sector innovators

Biggest Achievement of 2025:

Launch of our KeyStore of the future in Kilmacolm Road, Greenock in December 2025 (press release coming in January 2026).

Successful integration of data analytics into category planning, enabling more detailed ranges and targeted promotional strategies for retailers.

Allowing the impact of range planning compliance to be measured cross category.

Biggest Challenge of 2025:

Managing the impact of sustained cost pressures on independent retailers while maintaining competitiveness against aggressive pricing strategies from multiples.

Plans for 2026:

Expand our digital capability with rollout of more ESEL stores.
Greater use of data across a wider range of sources to support our retailers cost pressures and maximise their margin return.
Continue investment in sustainability initiatives and energy-efficient solutions for retailers.

Londis

Owner: Booker

Store numbers December 2025: 2,503

Store numbers December 2024: 2,421

Type: Symbol

Membership costs: None

Delivery costs: None

Minimum contract: Three years

Minimum order levels: 125 cases

Minimum order spend: N/A

Rebate: Up to 5%

Online delivery partners: Scoot, Just Eat, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, SnappyShopper

Other benefits:

v 100% cost free model

v Free fascia and installation package

v Earn up to 5% Spend & Save discount*

v Unrivalled buying power and Group exclusives

v Fantastic promotional package offering strong retailer margins

v FREE marketing support

v Every day lower prices on Milk and Bread

v Extensive Own Brand ranges

v Sales Team

v Merchandising

v Tri Temperature fleet delivering all ambient, fresh and frozen together

*Terms and conditions apply

Services: A comprehensive range of added value service and central billing suppliers for retailers, offering an extra 20,000 SKUs

USP:

Biggest achievement of 2025:

Londis’ biggest achievement in 2025 was strengthening its position as the UK’s leading community and forecourt convenience symbol by delivering tangible growth for independent retailers. The recruitment of more than 190 new stores, the rollout of the Store of the Future to over 270 locations, and the expansion of Everyday Low Pricing to more than 600 products combined to drive higher sales, improved margins and stronger shopper engagement. Initiatives such as Make More, Save More and the growth of the Scoot rapid delivery platform further enhanced retailer profitability and future-proofed the network.

Biggest challenge of 2025:

We know that independent retailers have faced and will continue to face challenges in 2026, including the cost of living, overheads including energy rates, and tightening regulations. However, we continue to see remarkable resilience from our customers across the sector. At Booker, our role is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with retailers, helping them navigate this tough environment with the right mix of value, choice and support. Over the past year we’ve strengthened our estate with hundreds of new symbol stores, and what we hear consistently is that retailers want reliability: tight pricing, strong availability, tailored assortments and practical help in running their business day to day.

Plans for 2026:

In 2026, Londis will focus on accelerating store modernisation, expanding high-margin food-to-go and service-led propositions, and deepening its commitment to value and sustainability. Continued investment in digital tools, rapid delivery, energy efficiency and retailer insight will support smarter trading and operational efficiency, while ongoing recruitment and partnership-led support will ensure independent retailers can grow profitably and remain at the heart of their communities.

Morrisons Daily

Owner: Morrisons Daily

Store numbers December 2025: 1700

Store number December 2024: 1,600

Type: Franchise

Membership costs: £100 weekly brand membership fee

Delivery costs: £0

Minimum contract: 5 years

Minimum order levels: Low minimum order quantities

Ambient - 100 cases

Chilled - 35 cases

Frozen - 10 cases

Tobacco - 10 cases

Minimum order spend: £0

Rebate: Competitive quarterly rebates of up to 6%

Online delivery partners: Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats

Other benefits:

Access to a brand with over 125 years heritage, above the door and in store
Access to award-winning own label range
Customer loyalty programme - More Card
Free fascia, branding and marketing material
In-store produced food service range with high margins
Competitive wholesale costs and margins
Competitive promotional cycles and point of sale
Expert advice on store design, layout and ranging
Field based store transformation team
Full training suite and field based trainers
Dedicated Account Manager
Central Helpdesk
Comprehensive range of Direct to Store suppliers to supplement your range

Services:

Field based store transformation team
Dedicated Account Manager
Full training suite and field based trainers

USP:

Morrisons has an incredible heritage. With over 125+ years of shopkeeping expertise, the Morrisons brand has a hugely positive impact on a new store which mustn’t be underestimated. We pride ourselves on a compelling own brand range, driving quality and value to customers, particularly in fresh categories like food-to-go. This, coupled with an extensive branded range, provides franchisees with adequate breadth and depth of range to drive an outstanding, consistent proposition. We also have a strategic partnership with Myton Food Group, packing and processing fresh meats and fish, savoury and sweet pies, fruit and veg, flower bouquets, bread and more across 18 sites. Our unique relationship means we’re proud to be British farming’s single biggest direct customer.

The Morrisons More Card is also a great USP, Morrisons Daily Franchisees are the first in the independent retail sector to have access to a supermarket loyalty scheme and we know customers are really enjoying earning More Card Points in their local Morrisons Daily franchise store.

Biggest achievement of 2025:

The introduction of the More Card into our franchise stores was one of our biggest achievements of 2025. This market leading initiative has helped our retailers compete on price, stay relevant to their customers and reward loyalty.

Biggest challenge of 2025:

Rising operating costs and ongoing cost of living challenges, have been the biggest challenge for all convenience store operators this year. Retaining customers, being competitive and optimising operational efficiencies have been critical to success.

Plans for 2026:

In 2026, we will continue to invest in the More Card loyalty scheme for our franchise partners, helping franchisees drive value through compelling and effective promotions. We will also support franchisees in delivering exceptional quality and value for customers by expanding our own label and branded product offering.

Nisa

Owner: Co-op Group

Store numbers December 2025: 1,592

Store number December 2024: 1,676

Membership costs: no membership fee

Delivery costs: no delivery charge

Minimum contract: 3 years

Minimum order levels: Chill £350 order value (excluding bread/milk/freeze); £1,000 Ambient order value (excluding Tobacco) per order

Minimum order spend: £6,500 per week

Rebate: Up to 6%

USP: The iconic Co-op own brand range and award-winning missions, including one of the strongest fresh food propositions in the market, that consistently drives footfall, loyalty, and standout value. Using powerful data and intelligence, we work with our retailers to build high‑performing store formats across every channel. But our real differentiator is partnership - in a tough economy we help retailers cut costs, improve service, and use smart tools to drive sustainable margin growth, ensuring retailers thrive now and into the future.

Biggest achievement of 2025: Successfully transitioning to Co-op Wholesale and laying the foundations for long-term growth. This marked a pivotal shift in how we support independent retailers and partners, enabling us to combine the scale, insight and trust of the Co-op Group with the flexibility of a wholesale model. By leveraging Co-op’s data and customer intelligence, alongside the strength of Co-op Own Brand, we’ve been able to offer partners deeper insight, stronger propositions and access to award-winning products that truly meet shopper needs.

Biggest challenge of 2025: Supporting independent retailers navigate pressure from rising labour and energy costs, which significantly increased the total cost of operating a store. This intensified price competition across the market and drove greater switching and promiscuity as retailers worked hard to protect their margins.

Plans for 2026: Relaunching our modernised Nisa fascia and simplifying and strengthening our offer by doubling down on food missions, sharper promotions and impactful in‑store activations, giving our partners everything they need to compete for consumers’ everyday shopping missions.

Online delivery partners: Just Eat, Snappy Shopper, and the newer Peckish app, powered by Co-op.

Other benefits: Co‑op Wholesale gives independent retailers a powerful commercial edge: access to c13k SKUs including a 2,400‑product Co‑op own‑brand range that drives footfall, market‑leading wholesale prices, and a competitive rebate model. All backed by the strength of a national logistics network delivering fresh, chilled, and ambient products. Retailers have the freedom to trade under their own fascia or co-branded and its community‑boosting initiatives like Making a Difference Locally charity gives retailers everything they need to outperform competitors while staying proudly independent.

Services: Using extensive market data and specialised technology, the format and development team tailor every store’s proposition to its unique environment, maximising space productivity and commercial return. By partnering with Co-op Wholesale, retailers unlock a highly competitive pricing and promotional package, a state‑of‑the‑art EPOS solution, and a comprehensive marketing programme engineered to drive efficiency, boost visibility, and accelerate footfall.

One Stop

Owner: One Stop Franchise

Store numbers December 2025: 377

Store numbers December 2024: 342

Type: Retail Franchise

Membership costs: £115

Delivery costs: None

Minimum contract: 5 years

Minimum order levels: None

Minimum order spend: None

Rebate: n/a

Online delivery partners: Snappy Shopper, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat

Other benefits: Dedicated Business Development Managers, Launch Support Managers, EPOS/state of the art technology, fully managed online delivery, store refit investment, marketing leading promotions, free, flexible deliveries including single pick on a range of items, comprehensive training on new innovations, legislation changes etc. Franchise Helpline, Store opening celebration supported by Store Launch Manager.

USP: We are retail experts and have used our extensive knowledge and insights to build a successful franchise business model. We understand what it takes to run profitable convenience stores, therefore our retailers can trust us to support their growth, while allowing them to stay firmly in control of their business

Biggest achievement of 2025: This year One Stop celebrated it’s 50-year anniversary. This significant milestone marks our exciting growth into one of the UK’s leading convenience retailers - now with over 1000 stores, nationwide. We are extremely proud of this achievement which not only reflects our ability to respond to changing customer needs but also the strength of the convenience sector as a whole

Biggest challenge of 2025: 2025 has seen the retail landscape change, shaped by economic pressures and changing customer needs. Rising operational costs, from energy to logistics have tightened margins. Therefore, the efficiencies and investment in technology that One Stop franchisees benefit from is a vital part of their business success for our franchise partners. Above all, customers need continue to change and they want more from their local convenience store. Providing a good fresh range, consistent value, and online delivery means that our commitment to innovation is more important than ever, to keep our retailers competitive.

Plans for 2026: Online delivery remains a significant growth opportunity. We are committed to evolving our unique online proposition, making it even easier for franchisees to offer this service seamlessly to their customers. By simplifying processes and enhancing the customer experience, we will continue to support our franchisees to increase their sales and profits through this additional income stream.

Premier

Owner: Booker Group

Store numbers December 2025: 5,009

Store numbers December 2024: 4,747

Type: Symbol

Membership costs: None

Delivery costs: £29.95

Minimum contract: Three years with minimum spend of £5k per week

Minimum order levels: N/A

Minimum order spend: Minimum drop of £1,000 non-tobacco

Rebate: Up to 5%* (*Terms & Conditions apply)

Online delivery partners: Scoot, Just Eat, Uber Eats, Deliveroo

Other benefits:

v No joining fees

v Spend & Save discounts of up to 5%*

v Bigger group, exclusive NPD, access to Tobacco Club delivering higher margins

v Free fascia and imagery

v Extensive Vape range

v Access to sustainability initiatives

v Free marketing support

v Fantastic promotional package offering strong retailer margins

v Extended fresh, chilled & frozen range available

v Dedicated Merchandising and Retail Development teams

v Extensive Own Brand ranges

v Every day low price deals across key categories

v Online training guides across various topics

Services: A comprehensive range of added value service and central billing suppliers for retailers, offering an extra 20,000 SKUs

USP:

Biggest achievement of 2025:

Premier’s biggest achievement of 2025 came in November, when the UK’s number one symbol group officially opened its 5,000th store - a major milestone that reflects over three decades of growth, innovation and partnership with independent retailers. The landmark store, located in Wellingborough, represents Premier’s modern format, complete with food-to-go, energy-efficient chillers, loyalty rewards and tailored meal deals designed to drive footfall and strengthen retailer margins. The achievement highlighted the strength of the Premier brand, the dedication of its retailers and Booker’s ongoing commitment to helping independent stores thrive in an increasingly competitive market.

Biggest challenge of 2025:

We know that independent retailers will continue to face challenges in 2026, including the cost of living, overheads including energy rates, and tightening regulations. However, we continue to see remarkable resilience from our customers across the sector. At Booker, our role is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with retailers, helping them navigate this tough environment with the right mix of value, choice and support. Over the past year we’ve strengthened our estate with hundreds of new symbol stores, and what we hear consistently is that retailers want reliability: tight pricing, strong availability, tailored assortments and practical help in running their business day to day.

Plans for 2026:

Premier is entering 2026 with a focus on low-cost, high-impact innovation designed to help independent retailers stay competitive in a challenging market. Building on the rollout of more small-format stores, Premier will continue developing compact, efficient formats that reduce labour and energy usage without compromising shopper experience. Retailers will see further investment in practical technology - including EPOS upgrades, self-checkouts, electronic shelf-edge labels, and advanced security - alongside the continued expansion of ranges such as Jack’s own-label and long-life chilled, helping stores meet the growing demand for value, quality, and convenience. The success of Scoot, Booker’s rapid-delivery platform for its symbol retailers, will remain a major growth driver, especially following its partnership with Just Eat, which enables same-day delivery without operational complexity for retailers.

Community remains central to Premier’s 2026 vision, with increased support for local initiatives, free fruit schemes, school programmes, and tailored marketing tools that reinforce each store’s role at the heart of its neighbourhood. The year ahead will also bring more fresh products, healthier food-to-go options, and a Premier-exclusive meal deal, strengthening the group’s ability to serve evolving shopper needs. As Martyn Parkinson, Booker’s Sales Director for Premier, explains, Premier’s strategy is built on “simplicity, efficiency, and local relevance,” ensuring retailers have the tools, formats, and flexibility to thrive in today’s fast-moving convenience landscape.

Select & Save

Owner: Kam Sanghera

Store numbers December 2025: 100

Store number December 2024: 60

Type: Fascia

Membership costs: Free membership

Delivery costs: Free delivery

Minimum contract: 5 years

Minimum order levels: 125 case order minimum per delivery

Minimum order spend: 125 case order minimum per delivery

Rebate: Up to 5.5% rebates

Online delivery partners: Scoot, Snappy Shopper. Just Eat

Other benefits:

Services:

USP:

Biggest achievement of 2025: Rebranding the whole symbol group of new and existing stores as well as completing our supply change over from Bestway to Booker Retail Partners.

Biggest challenge of 2025: Tough and challenging market conditions

Plans for 2026: Grow the store count to 150 stores, increased digital and social media presence

SimplyFresh

Owner: SimplyFresh & SimplyLocal

Store numbers December 2025:

110

Store numbers December 2024:

Type:

Symbol Group

Membership costs:

None

Delivery costs:

None

Minimum contract:

3 years for SimplyFresh

3 years for SimplyLocal &

3 year for LittleFresh

Minimum order levels:

Per delivery

150 cases ambient/BWS/tobacco

40 cases chilled/frozen

Minimum order spend:

SimplyFresh: £8,000 per week

SimplyLocal & LittleFresh: £5,000 per week

Rebate:

Up to 6%

Online delivery partners:

Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber, Snappy Shopper, Jisp, plus local partners chosen by retailers

Other benefits:

· Access to over 2,000 Co-op own-label lines

· Full multi temp supply solution via Nisa, Bestway & Bargain Booze

· Loyalty rewards

· Access to 450+ direct-to-store suppliers

Services:

· Dedicated BDM support

· Store design & development

· EPoS

· Field support

· One weekly consolidated invoice

· Marketing support

· Full 3 weekly promotional activation and POS

· Consumer Leaflet

· ACS Membership

· Social Media Training

· Dedicated BDM support

· Store design & development

· Ai Training

USP:

A strong, modern brand paired with a genuinely flexible multi-supply model. Retailers benefit from choice, range, price options and hybrid fascia opportunities — all delivered through a premium, refreshed store identity that stands out in local communities.

Biggest Achievement of 2025

Our biggest achievement has been delivering our full brand refresh. The new SimplyFresh look has given stores a cleaner, more modern, more premium feel, and customers have responded with enthusiasm.

Beyond the visual uplift, the rebrand helped us tighten our retail standards, enhance our estate, and strengthen how our multi-supply model works day-to-day.

We have reset for the next stage of our growth.

Biggest Challenge of 2025

Like the wider market, our retailers continued to face cost inflation, and value has remained a defining customer priority. Ensuring competitiveness while protecting margin has been the central challenge.

We’ve focused heavily on consistent availability, sharper promotions, and clearer price architecture, all essential in a year when shoppers were actively managing their spend across every mission.

Plans for 2026

2026 will be about building on the momentum of the rebrand and strengthening the core:

· Rolling out our new store identity across more of the estate

· Continuing to refine our multi-supply approach to deliver a stronger, more dependable value message

· Supporting retailers with energy-saving initiatives and operational efficiencies

· Deepening our focus on food-to-go and chilled, where shopper habits are evolving fastest

· Enhancing onboarding and support for new retailers, especially multi-site operators

We will continue to explore new technology and format opportunities where the commercial benefit to retailers is clear.

Spar

Owner: SPAR UK Ltd

Store numbers December 2025: 2,261

Store number December 2024: 2,199

Type: Symbol group - A network of independently owned stores affiliated to a wholesale provider that supplies the fascia and delivers services such as own-label access, promotions, technology and logistics, while allowing retailers varying degrees of operational independence.

Membership costs: Membership is provided at no cost to retailers during their first year.

Delivery costs: None

Minimum contract: This is fully dependent on the needs of each independent retailer and the agreement with their supplying SPAR wholesaler.

Minimum order levels: This is fully dependent on the needs of each independent retailer and the agreement with their supplying SPAR wholesaler.

Minimum order spend: This is fully dependent on the needs of each independent retailer and the agreement with their supplying SPAR wholesaler.

Rebate: Not disclosing

Online delivery partners: Snappy Shopper, Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats

Other benefits: All SPAR five shareholder RDCs invest in the brand, independent retailers, stores, product, range, own label, marketing & digital, stores, IT, retail technology and infrastructure.

Services: SPAR provides independent retailers with end-to-end support covering store development, branding, own label, promotions, technology and logistics. By combining local flexibility with national scale, SPAR enables retailers to operate efficiently, remain competitive and grow profitably in their local markets.

USP: SPAR is built on a simple principle: independent retailers remain truly independent. Every SPAR store is locally owned and tailored to its community, combining the agility and insight of independent retailing with the buying power, marketing strength and operational support of a national brand.

As a symbol group, SPAR encourages retailers to shape their own stores, ranges and services to meet local shopper needs, while benefiting from own label development, promotions, store branding, retail technology, IT systems and logistics support.

Uniquely, SPAR UK is owned by five regional distribution centres, most of which are family-owned businesses still led by the founders’ descendants. These RDCs invest heavily in logistics, warehousing and technology, supplying stores and providing hands-on business support so retailers can focus on running profitable, community-focused stores.

The result is a model that combines local ownership with national scale, giving independent retailers the confidence, capability and flexibility to compete and thrive.

Biggest achievement of 2025:

Against an exceptionally challenging trading backdrop, SPAR’s biggest achievement in 2025 has been the continued resilience and adaptability of its independent retailers. Despite rising costs and shifting shopper behaviours, SPAR retailers have remained focused on service, quality and value, staying close to their shoppers and responding quickly to changing demand. That ability to balance competitiveness with a sensible approach to margin has helped protect top-line performance while reinforcing SPAR’s role as a trusted, community-based convenience retailer.

Biggest challenge of 2025:

The defining challenge of 2025 has been sustained cost pressure, compounded by retail crime and ongoing uncertainty for independent retailers. Rising employment costs and operational inflation continue to test margins, while retail crime remains one of the most serious issues facing retailers on the ground. Addressing this requires continued collaboration, alongside consistent reporting to ensure the true scale of the problem is recognised and acted upon.

Plans for 2026: Looking ahead to 2026, the focus shifts to adaptation, investment and long-term resilience. Shoppers will continue to prioritise value, quality and service, with own label playing an increasingly important role alongside trusted national brands. With greater clarity on policy changes such as employment cost increases and the introduction of DRS, retailers are better placed to plan ahead.

SPAR retailers are already leading the way in adopting practical technology to boost productivity, supported by a culture of collaboration and shared expertise. Above all, 2026 will be a year where partnership and scale matter more than ever, combining the agility of independent ownership with the strength of the SPAR network to compete confidently in a fast-changing market.

Today’s, Day-Today & Lifestyle Express

Owner: Unitas Wholesale members

Store numbers December 2025: 1552

Store numbers December 2024: 1503

Type: Symbol

Membership costs: set on a wholesaler-by-wholesaler basis

Delivery costs: set on a wholesaler-by-wholesaler basis

Minimum contracts: generally between 3 and 5 years, but managed on a wholesaler-by-wholesaler basis

Minimum order levels: set on a wholesaler-by-wholesaler basis

Minimum order spend: set on a wholesaler-by-wholesaler basis

Rebates: set on a wholesaler-by-wholesaler basis

Online delivery partners: most Unitas Wholesale members have a suite of direct-to-store suppliers that cover uniform to chilled and frozen

Services: offered on a wholesaler-by-wholesaler basis

USP – Retailers can run their store, their way, but with all the support of an award-winning fascia group.

Biggest achievements in 2025

Deepened partnerships across wholesale members and suppliers, which has resulted in deeper insight-led way of working
Rolled out more advanced use of data and early AI applications to improve understanding of shopper behaviour, category performance and store execution
Delivered tangible improvements in store standards, layouts and environments, helping independent retailers compete on experience as well as price
Continued development of the Local Living own brand, giving retailers a strong value proposition at a time of significant cost pressure for consumers
Supported retailers in responding quickly to changing shopping missions and evolving consumer expectations
Continued growth of the retail estate, demonstrating confidence in the independent convenience sector
Reaffirmed the importance of local convenience retail in communities across the UK, underpinned by positive sector performance

Biggest challenges in 2025

Sustained and continued increasingly aggressive price competition from the multiples, particularly on everyday essentials
Ongoing inflationary pressures increasing operating costs for retailers and wholesalers alike
Cost volatility and disruption across the supply chain impacting availability and margins
A complex and changing regulatory and political landscape creating uncertainty for the sector
Ensuring new technologies, including AI, deliver real, practical value rather than added complexity

Plans for 2026

Embed AI-driven insight more deeply across the business to support smarter decisions on ranging, pricing, promotions, and space planning
Evolve Plan for Profit into a more predictive, forward-looking tool, using AI to highlight growth opportunities and margin improvement
Planograms that deliver a more regional bias to allow retailers to maximise sales opportunities
Work more closely with suppliers to co-create brand strategies that translate into strong, visible, and effective in-store execution
Invest further in store development, focusing on layouts, merchandising and theatre that reflect modern shopping habits
Continue to build on the success of Local Living with further range development focused on quality, trust and value
Maintain a strong promotional calendar that helps retailers stay competitive while protecting profitability
Equip retailers with the tools, insight and confidence to adapt quickly to changing consumer behaviour and emerging market opportunities