Somerfield is converting six London based Kwik Save stores into the more profitable Somerfield convenience format. Kwik Saves in Paddington, Cricklewood, Camberwell, West Norwood, West Wickham and Waltham Cross will be refurbished between May and July at a cost of £6.5m. Known internally as City Fresh, the c-stores trade under the Somerfield fascia but feature an enhanced range of fresh and chilled food, a Mediterranean colour scheme and lighting, and merchandising units developed specifically for the format. City Fresh is suitable for sites of up to about 5,000 sq ft, and the company is looking at opportunities to develop it through a combination of conversions and new builds. The new stores will take the City Fresh portfolio to 16 and will create several new jobs as the format is more labour intensive than Kwik Save, said a spokeswoman. City Fresh has been hugely successful, said store renewals director David John: "These new Somerfield stores are based on an exciting new format and provide more appropriate ranges to today's busy consumers." {{NEWS }}

Topics