Parfetts Expansion

WHOLESALE

Parfetts completes depot expansion at Aintree

Parfetts has completed an extensive expansion of its Aintree, Liverpool, depot to create greater capacity for its delivered operations and improve the experience for retail customers.

The wholesaler, which has 4,000 retail club members and over 850 fascia stores, has created a dedicated loading area for delivered operations at the depot. The development has created more capacity, giving visitors to the depot an improved experience.

The project also saw a dedicated picking area developed within the depot, which also creates more room for customers.

The depot has seen delivered operations grow by 40% in the past two years. It now delivers across the North West from North Manchester into the Lake District and down to Stoke-on-Trent and has hired 25 new staff to cope with demand.

The investment follows the company’s strategy of maintaining a market-leading cash and carry while continuing to grow the delivered arm of the business.

Anthony Fisher-Hibbs, general manager at Parfetts Aintree, said: “The expansion of the depot will create the capacity we need to continue to grow our delivered business while providing a better experience for our visitors. We’ve experienced significant growth through the pandemic as new retailers tried us for the first time and stayed. We aim for turnover to hit £3m a week over the coming months.”

Parfetts current strategy is to extend its customer reach through delivery rather than acquisition using four key depots as 24 hour delivered hubs in Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Somercotes, and Aintree.

Earlier this year, Parfetts launched an app that allows retailers to order next day delivery up to midday of the day before. Customers can also use the app to manage click-and-collect orders and review previous purchases. The wholesaler is also continuing to invest in digital channels with a programme of enhancements to its website, customer apps, and growth of social media channels.