>>Martin Oakes, board director responsible for Somerfield’s development within the c-store sector
Our new business development teams have been busy in recent weeks with the purchase of Aberness, the award-winning convenience store retailer and its Mace distribution business in Scotland, plus the successful launch of Somerfield’s franchise package to independent retailers. This is part of Somerfield’s strategy on local and convenience store retailing which - it will come as no surprise - is born from our heritage as a champion of the small store format in the busy high street.
As we know, the £21bn plus c-store sector is in an exciting period of change and, inevitably, the multiples are planning their moves on the independent market. Somerfield has a significant role to play in this sector and can bring something distinctive to this market as a genuine alternative to the big box solutions of the major competition.
Running small stores is what Somerfield does well, so we have a head start on our competitors and, although it is a race between retailers for market share, I have no doubt we will be one of the major players.
While our strategy is ambitious, I am confident we can extend the Somerfield brand with successful small store formats to a greater number of locations. We have proved this does not just have to be by acquisition because we can increase our presence through partnerships and our innovative franchise package.
Following the acquisition of Aberness, our objective is to grow Somerfield’s convenience store format, Somerfield Essentials, across the UK and recruit more independent retailers to operate under the Mace brand in Scotland.
Somerfield is offering the independent retailer a unique franchise package that will enable it to cater for the needs and wants of local customers. This package includes a fully-funded EPoS system, a comprehensive store design and space planning service, launch and on-going promotional activity and store fascia and window graphics.
Somerfield also has plans through Aberness to grow its Mace distribution in Scotland. Essentially we want to be the independent retailers’ partner in success.
The c-store sector has thrived under the management of individual entrepreneurs who bring a mix of local knowledge, retail flair and genuine hard graft. Our franchise package aims to develop and support this
spirit and provide the independents with a modern fresh offer capable of competing with the best the competition can deliver.
One of the toughest challenges in c-store retailing is access to and delivery of a superb range of fresh food. Our experience shows that with the trend towards healthier eating and increased customer demand, this is a vital area to get right if you are to gain an edge on your competition. Somerfield’s national supply chain will give retailers a clear advantage, with daily deliveries of these products together with improved stock control, maximising product quality, especially fresh, and the flexibility to react quickly to changes in demand.
Our suppliers are also key stakeholders in the success of our business and we need them to be proactive, forward-thinking and
innovative if we are all to realise the full sales and profit opportunity the c-store sector affords us. We are building on this with the help of the Aberness team and this knowledge will be incorporated into our Somerfield Essentials stores.
Our first step will be the conversion of two Aberness stores to the Somerfield Essentials brand and these will provide invaluable lessons in assimilating the strengths of the two businesses to create a successful template for future stores.
Our ambitious plans will make us a major player in the c-store market with a unique offer and contemporary and flexible store formats. These will complement and enhance Somerfield’s wider store portfolio and build our position as the UK’s best local food retailer.
Our new business development teams have been busy in recent weeks with the purchase of Aberness, the award-winning convenience store retailer and its Mace distribution business in Scotland, plus the successful launch of Somerfield’s franchise package to independent retailers. This is part of Somerfield’s strategy on local and convenience store retailing which - it will come as no surprise - is born from our heritage as a champion of the small store format in the busy high street.
As we know, the £21bn plus c-store sector is in an exciting period of change and, inevitably, the multiples are planning their moves on the independent market. Somerfield has a significant role to play in this sector and can bring something distinctive to this market as a genuine alternative to the big box solutions of the major competition.
Running small stores is what Somerfield does well, so we have a head start on our competitors and, although it is a race between retailers for market share, I have no doubt we will be one of the major players.
While our strategy is ambitious, I am confident we can extend the Somerfield brand with successful small store formats to a greater number of locations. We have proved this does not just have to be by acquisition because we can increase our presence through partnerships and our innovative franchise package.
Following the acquisition of Aberness, our objective is to grow Somerfield’s convenience store format, Somerfield Essentials, across the UK and recruit more independent retailers to operate under the Mace brand in Scotland.
Somerfield is offering the independent retailer a unique franchise package that will enable it to cater for the needs and wants of local customers. This package includes a fully-funded EPoS system, a comprehensive store design and space planning service, launch and on-going promotional activity and store fascia and window graphics.
Somerfield also has plans through Aberness to grow its Mace distribution in Scotland. Essentially we want to be the independent retailers’ partner in success.
The c-store sector has thrived under the management of individual entrepreneurs who bring a mix of local knowledge, retail flair and genuine hard graft. Our franchise package aims to develop and support this
spirit and provide the independents with a modern fresh offer capable of competing with the best the competition can deliver.
One of the toughest challenges in c-store retailing is access to and delivery of a superb range of fresh food. Our experience shows that with the trend towards healthier eating and increased customer demand, this is a vital area to get right if you are to gain an edge on your competition. Somerfield’s national supply chain will give retailers a clear advantage, with daily deliveries of these products together with improved stock control, maximising product quality, especially fresh, and the flexibility to react quickly to changes in demand.
Our suppliers are also key stakeholders in the success of our business and we need them to be proactive, forward-thinking and
innovative if we are all to realise the full sales and profit opportunity the c-store sector affords us. We are building on this with the help of the Aberness team and this knowledge will be incorporated into our Somerfield Essentials stores.
Our first step will be the conversion of two Aberness stores to the Somerfield Essentials brand and these will provide invaluable lessons in assimilating the strengths of the two businesses to create a successful template for future stores.
Our ambitious plans will make us a major player in the c-store market with a unique offer and contemporary and flexible store formats. These will complement and enhance Somerfield’s wider store portfolio and build our position as the UK’s best local food retailer.
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