4 minute read
Cover story
by 55 North
Child’s Play
Former online baby care brand owners open Go Local store in St Helens.
A St Helens-based convenience store has become part of the Go Local network, which is operated by Parfetts.
The 2,000sq ft store on Junction Lane in Sutton, which is run by husband and wife team Bisi and Mayo Osundeko, has recently undergone a refurbishment programme.
While it is the couple’s first c-store, they have considerable retail experience, having built up leading online baby care brand Joy and Joe Baby, named after their children. The award-winning brand is currently one of the leading baby wrap brands on Amazon.
The site had been a convenience store and Post Office for more than 20 years but had fallen into disrepair and was in desperate need of refurbishment.
Working closely with Parfetts, the couple undertook significant store improvements, including new chiller units and increased shelving space. The store features a broad range of products from sandwiches, food-to-go and hot beverages to ice creams. The core grocery offer includes chilled and frozen, plus an extensive beer, wines and spirits section.
In addition, the store has retained its Post Office, which is an integral part of the local community.
Bisi said: “We’ve had a dream start with our new store. After spotting the opportunity over a year ago, it is finally a reality for us. We are serving the local community by giving them the convenience store that the area has been crying out for many years.
“Living locally, we are well aware of the needs of the local community here in Sutton and the crucial requirement for a Post Office counter service, which we have overhauled and relaunched to run seven days a week inside our store.
“Go Local offers our shoppers great value and lots of promotions. The store plays an important role in supporting local people in the surrounding community with their everyday shopping needs. Many of our regular customers are elderly and rely on the shop. They are over the moon with the new offering.”
The couple are running the store with a team of eight staff, retained from the previous operation. Some team members have over 20 years of experience, having built up strong, lifelong relationships with long-standing customers.
Bisi and Mayo have big plans for the future and would like to open several stores in the region, including a Go Local Extra.
Bisi said: “The support is first class with a team who are always on hand to help us operate more efficiently, such as helping with merchandising for the refurbished store when we officially relaunched. Parfetts’ store refurbishment team worked wonders in redesigning the store and were extremely quick in delivering an attractive, light and inviting store, which took everyone’s breath away when it was complete. It’s great to be able to rely on this level of professional support and guidance without any interference in the day to day running of the store or our own ideas for development.”
The Go Local fascia currently has around 900 stores across the North and Midlands.
Guy Swindell, joint Managing Director at Parfetts, said: “We’ve been working closely with Bisi and Mayo to get the store ready and ensure it is well designed and fully stocked to meet the needs of their customers. As successful entrepreneurs with a proven track record in retail, the couple has embraced the opportunity with genuine enthusiasm. It is already translating into strong sales, and the availability of own brand Go Local produce on the shelf means customers are getting value and choice.”
