1 minute read
Bells of Habberley
by 55 North
STORE REFRESH: JORDHA SANGHERA
Ring the changes
AN ESTABLISHED FAMILY-STORE HAS RELOCATED AND DOUBLED IN SIZE AFTER A SPIKE IN TRADE DURING THE PANDEMIC LEFT THE OWNERS IN NEED OF AN EXPANSION TO RESPOND TO GROWING CUSTOMER DEMAND
Bells Supermarkets of Habberley in Kidderminster has been serving shoppers in the area for more than 15 years and always traded well. When Covid struck last year, demand from customers grew dramatically and owner Jordha Sanghera took decisive action.
The existing store has now moved to bigger premises further down the same parade of shops offering increased selling space and storage and enabling the retailer to introduce a host of new products to his range.
The store boasts a bespoke off licence comprising a 5m backlit LED spirit counter, beer zone, bottled cider – as well as cider on draft – hot food counters and 16m of chillers – up from 7m at the previous store.
The new store also has added more products from local suppliers into its range, including freshly-baked goods, Tango Ice Blast, Costa Coffee and a wide range of draft ciders.
There is an in-store vape shop, an extended flower and plant section and a much larger range of gluten-free and vegetarian food options. Jordha said: “I’ve been planning this store for a long time – it’s something we’ve always wanted to do – and the time was just right because of the extra customers and increase in sales.”
And shoppers are delighted with their new store with sales growth across all categories and a healthy increase in basket spend. “We have shoppers who were shopping with us before who are buying more from us now as well as new customers coming in and buying from us,” says Jordha. “We have a much bigger range and some exciting offers that are bespoke to us and are really attracting shoppers.
“You’ve got to be innovative and think outside of the box. I like to think we can take the best bits of the multiples and then use our ideas and our freedom to do the next steps that make us special and help us to stand out – it’s a great position to be in.”
