Acquisitions

COVER STORY: AMACOR CAPITAL

AMACOR to continue aggressive buyup strategy

Despite recently launching four new stores in two months, the Bury-based convenience chain is looking to expand further.

Acquisitive convenience retailer AMACOR Capital is on the hunt for convenience stores to add to its 16-strong chain.

The company was established in 2018 by Kevin Amphlett and Martin Corban who joined forces to invest in the fast-growing retail convenience sector. Chairman of the Board and AMACOR’s princi- pal investor, Amphlett had a long career in the private medical insurance industry before creating and building a multi-million pound company. Corban has more than 30 years’ retail experience following a successful career with Sainsbury’s.

The group, which became a Nisa Retail key account partner in June 2018, made four acquisitions in quick succession during May and June, launching all four stores in record time under the Nisa Local fascia.

The sites – in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, Bradford in West Yorkshire, Newton-le-Willows in Cheshire, and Wrexham in North Wales – include three former Co-op stores.

A number of new services have been introduced across the new stores including Costa Express, fwip and Tango Ice Blast, all of which have been well received by customers and helped to attract additional footfall.

Head of Acquisitions at AMACOR, Alex Wilson, said: “We completed the sales, re-branded and launched our last four stores, each in a very short spell of time and the team has done incredibly well to get all stores integrated and trading under the Nisa fascia.

“We are delighted to add these sites to our growing estate and look forward to serving the local communities.”

AMACOR says it has “clear ambitions” to grow its portfolio of stores to 20 by the end of the year.

Wilson added: “We have a healthy pipeline and are actively looking for new sites across the North of England, Midlands and North Wales with ambitions to surpass 30 stores by the end of next year.” Martin Corban, Managing Director of AMACOR, said: “It has been a busy two months with four new additions to the Group. We are always looking for great new opportunities to expand and look forward to further growth over the coming year.” AMACOR also recently completed a refit of its store on Broughton Lane in Salford. The refresh enabled it to significantly add to the range of products available and introduce new services Nisa’s Head of Retail, Victoria Lockie, said: “Working with such ambitious and progressive retailers like AMACOR is really exciting and the pace at which acquisitions are made and stores start trading is really fantastic. We wish the team luck in the expansion of their estate and look forward to supporting them along the way.”

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

● Retail convenience stores with a turnover of at least £25,000 per week (excluding services)

● National or local managed estate of convenience stores

● Trading in the North West, North East, North Wales or Midlands

● Leasehold but would consider freehold opportunities

● Solid relationships with suppliers and colleagues

● 2,000+sq ft retail space