Select & Save is on a mission to expand its independent symbol estate, targeting a near 70% boost in stores by the end of next year as it pushes ahead with a new proposition.
Sales director Barry Coleman said its new partnership with Booker, refreshed branding, and business development service was helping to attract new retailers while enhancing its existing estate.
The symbol group currently consists of 90 independent stores, and one company owned, after shedding 40 underperforming and voluntarily departing sites as it refocused its estate over the past year.
“We’ve concentrated on improving the brand, ranging, and store standards, which has given us the capability of enhancing the stores we already work with and recruiting new ones,” said Coleman. ”It’s about quality over quantity as we move forward.”
Coleman said Select & Save planned to reach 150 stores by the end of 2026, with 18 already in the pipeline. These include Spar, Go Local, Morrisons Daily, Nisa, and affiliated retailers.
Its new supply deal with Booker, which it signed at the start of the year after switching from Bestway, has been a major driving force behind refreshing its proposition and attracting new retailers.
The new contract means retailers can access deliveries via the Booker Retail Partners model and Booker’s cash & carry depots, as well as a broader range of fresh, chilled and frozen lines.
“Chill and frozen sales have phenomenally increased, up 15% on a weekly basis,” said Coleman. “Not only is there a bigger breadth of range, backed with strong own label, but it’s the quality too.
“All of a sudden we have created a very competitive proposition for our retailers.”
Its new fascia and store design, which it began rolling out last year, has also been well received by retailers, Coleman added.
Select & Save has rebranded 22 stores so far and expects the majority of its existing estate to be converted by the end of next year.
Coleman explained, however, that maintaining strong store standards and disciplines, such as running more promotions and improving merchandising, was crucial in protecting the new symbol identity.
As part of its proposition, Select & Save promises retailers will at least one visit a month from a business development manager.
We have a team of four BDMs on the road, covering the north east, Midlands, and north west,” said Coleman. “They’ll manage the existing estate by helping them grow and improve sales. We pride ourselves on our service.”
Select & Save has also recently partnered with social media agency Chameleon to provide engaging online content for retailers’ store profiles.
The store growth goals come as Select & Save appoints Colin Shaw as its new head of commercial. He will be focused trading opportunities and generating central income from the supply base to support its retailer proposition.
His most recent role was national wholesale controller for Irish milk processor Lakeland Dairies. He has also held national account controller roles for AF Blakemore and Booker Group from 2003 to 2021.
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