Time is money and Deepak Patel has had precious little to spare lately. With three busy c-stores in Clacton-on-Sea that together turn over £100,000 a week, it was becoming clear that a 140-mile round trip to get to Dhamecha Cash & Carry in Barking was a luxury he could no longer afford.
After scouting around for the best delivered wholesaler, he chose Booker’s Premier Group - the best option for independents that want a delivered service but don’t want to pay through the nose for the symbol group package that usually goes with it, he says.
All three of his stores have now been rebadged to the Booker Premier fascia. “We run such a tight ship that the journey to Dhamecha was too time- consuming,” says Patel. “It’s a shame because we had a good relationship - but Dhamecha is just not geared for deliveries.”
Booker now gets the bulk of his business, although he stocks up on booze from Charlton Cash & Carry and still buys top-up items from Dhamecha.
This year was a storming year for the business which notched up double digit sales growth and a 2.5% improvement in margins, which Patel attributes to better stock control and new EPoS systems.
The decision to join Booker Premier was easy, says Patel. “Nisa was too expensive and Spar, Costcutter and Londis all wanted membership fees. Premier was the best price-wise and it also gives you more leeway as long as you spend a certain amount of money.”
Meanwhile, predators are still sniffing around his stores and a sale is possible next year, he adds. “We’ve had a few people looking around. The stupid thing is that Tesco & Co instantly disregard us because the stores are small. But we are doing amazing business - much more than larger stores they are looking at.”
Staffing remains an issue. He has not yet found replacements for two supervisors who left and the October national minimum wage rise has hit the payroll.
Running such a tight ship also leaves little time to shop around for the best festive deals on booze, says Patel. “Stella might be cheaper at Iceland or in Asda than at the wholesalers - but there just isn’t the time to find out.”
After scouting around for the best delivered wholesaler, he chose Booker’s Premier Group - the best option for independents that want a delivered service but don’t want to pay through the nose for the symbol group package that usually goes with it, he says.
All three of his stores have now been rebadged to the Booker Premier fascia. “We run such a tight ship that the journey to Dhamecha was too time- consuming,” says Patel. “It’s a shame because we had a good relationship - but Dhamecha is just not geared for deliveries.”
Booker now gets the bulk of his business, although he stocks up on booze from Charlton Cash & Carry and still buys top-up items from Dhamecha.
This year was a storming year for the business which notched up double digit sales growth and a 2.5% improvement in margins, which Patel attributes to better stock control and new EPoS systems.
The decision to join Booker Premier was easy, says Patel. “Nisa was too expensive and Spar, Costcutter and Londis all wanted membership fees. Premier was the best price-wise and it also gives you more leeway as long as you spend a certain amount of money.”
Meanwhile, predators are still sniffing around his stores and a sale is possible next year, he adds. “We’ve had a few people looking around. The stupid thing is that Tesco & Co instantly disregard us because the stores are small. But we are doing amazing business - much more than larger stores they are looking at.”
Staffing remains an issue. He has not yet found replacements for two supervisors who left and the October national minimum wage rise has hit the payroll.
Running such a tight ship also leaves little time to shop around for the best festive deals on booze, says Patel. “Stella might be cheaper at Iceland or in Asda than at the wholesalers - but there just isn’t the time to find out.”
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