Musgrave Retail Partners GB is planning to invest £1m in price cuts on key lines for Londis retailers.

Speaking at his first annual Londis conference since joining as managing director last November, Donal Horgan said the group would focus on "pricing and discounts" as well as improving service and recruiting more ­members in the next 12 months.

"The conference theme of 'Growing Through Emerging Stronger' reflects our ambition to grow our business and emerge from this downturn a better and stronger brand."

There are 1,788 Londis stores across the UK, 0.7% fewer than last year, according to the latest Grocery Retail Structure.

Julian and Jackie Taylor Green of Lindford in Hampshire won Londis Store of the Year at the ­conference, staged in Birmingham last week.