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NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER

Booker launches new small format Premier store

Booker has unveiled a new fl agship small format Premier store.

The 600sq ft VG Foodstore in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, has been run by the Dhinsa family for more than 35 years and was previously independent.

Brothers Steve and Jassy, who have taken over the running of the store from their parents, decided the time was right for a refi t and it closed for six weeks as it took place.

The new format takes the best learning from Mandeep Singh’s store in Sheffi eld, which trialled lots of new elements to attract consumers, and has won praise from retailers. However, the store is 1,800sq ft and its refi t cost in the region of £150,000 to £175,000.

Martyn Parkinson, Booker Sales Director, said: “We found retailers wanted to replicate it but in a smaller store. So we worked on how to get the best bits into a smaller space. That was a real challenge.

“Luckily Steve and Jassy were looking to have a refi t, they had visited Mandeep’s store, and asked us to implement whatever we could into their store.”

The biggest transformation for the store was its chilled solution. The brothers were keen to introduce more chilled but were put off by the possibility of wastage. However, through Booker, they have access to 330 lines of long-life chill.

The store also features Refresh@Premier, which includes fwip, Hersey’s Freeze, Jolly Rancher Slush, and Douwe Egberts coff ee.

In the impulse aisle, small bags were removed – reducing the range by one-third – because bigger bags increase basket spend. In addition, Booker is aiming to keep items in shelf-ready packaging, so retailers only have touch stock once and replenishment is effi cient.

Meanwhile, the store still features newspapers, magazines, and greetings cards so it keeps its CTN identity.

Previously the store made £8,000 sales a week on average, but the week before Christmas it peaked at £24,000 and is now averaging £20,000, however every week this is still growing.

Steve said: “The format is brilliant – other retailers have been surprised at the range we stock.”

He added: “My advice to other retailers is 100% do this – I should’ve done it before. Everyone at Booker believed in us and gave us the best help.”

INBRIEF

BOOKER EARNS GROCERYAID GOLD AWARD

Booker has earned the highest possible accolade from industry charity GroceryAid, a coveted Gold Award. Gold winners have participated in at least eight activities across all three GroceryAid pillars: awareness, fundraising and volunteering.

During an immensely tough year, Booker raised its game even further for GroceryAid, taking part in 11 separate major activities including GroceryAid day, communicating GroceryAid internally, fundraising and offering free advice to the charity. Booker also took an active part in numerous GroceryAid committees including the Independent Retail Strategy Group.

For more, visit groceryaid.or.uk

TALKING TACTICS

What are you doing in-store to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your Premier retailer colleagues at talkingshop@booker.co.uk