SPAR (UK) news

Regional UK Spar wholesaler, Appleby Westward, which services stores in south-west England, has announced it is to acquire the retail estate of Gilletts of Callington, comprising 63 Spar stores located across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Represents one fifth of all stores serviced by Appleby Westward Built up as an independent family-owned business, Gilletts has become s...

As SPAR operators in Oman and Portugal reveal further expansion possibilities, SPAR UK trials a new health range and SPAR Switzerland launches a new credit card, we round up news from the company. SPAR to continue expansion in Oman SPAR is aiming to operate 24 stores in Oman by the end of 2017, with a target of 14 for 2016, according to SPAR International’s managing director, Tobias Wasmuht...

Blakemore Trade Partners has revealed that it recorded its best ever set of recruitment figures in 2015/16, with net growth of 140 stores. Significant national agreements Over the course of the year ending in April 2016, the business welcomed more than 200 new stores to its independent SPAR estate, eclipsing the 89 stores that it recruited in 2014/15. The 2015/16 year saw Blakemore Tra...

Whitbread owned Costa has released sales figures that show continuing growth over the year, but a slowdown in performance in Q4. Here are our five "quick takes" from the results: Global sales up 14.2%  This included good sales growth in the UK and internationally, and also across both store-based sales and Costa Express, as the business rolls out its Costa Express branded machines across mo...

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd has appointed Russell Grant as the new managing director of the company’s Wholesale division. Grant, who has worked for the company for more than 12 years, will report directly to Group Wholesale Managing Director Sam Wilcox and be responsible for the Wholesale cash & carry estate and stores group. New initiatives for even more customer focus Grant said that h...

As Subway UK reports a record year of store expansion in 2015, we update on its growth strategy. Impressive opening plans in place Subway has grown rapidly in the past year, adding a record 270 stores and taking UK & Ireland store count over 2,000.  This compares with the likes of McDonalds (c. 1,200 outlets) and Costa Coffee (c. 2,000 outlets), and Greggs (c. 1,650 outlets). But the b...

SPAR UK has seen its store numbers increase by 8% to 2,578 in the six months between May and October 2015. New and existing retail partners driving growth The symbol group has provided a clear strategy, focusing on modern store formats, great SPAR Brand product success, an improved commercial package and a selling plan that delivers sales. This has allowed a number of factors to contribute...

The family owned food retail, wholesale and distribution business has posted an 18.5% increase in profits and 7.1% increase in sales in its latest set of accounts with figures of £9.0m and of £1.28bn respectively for the financial year to April 30th 2015. Strength of convenience A.F. Blakemore Chairman, Peter Blakemore, cited on-going innovation across the estate and the increased stren...

At a press briefing this week, managing director Debbie Robinson and her senior team outlined how the SPAR proposition is evolving to enhance its appeal with shoppers. Here we explore five ways SPAR plans to win in an increasingly crowded convenience market. 1. Strength through ambitious entrepreneurs SPAR is confident that it has a clearly differentiated strategy that empowers entreprene...

Major convenience retailing network SPAR has announced the launch of a trial partnership with Roadchef, the UK's number three motorway services operator.  This will see SPAR open convenience stores in two pilot locations, alongside the wider portfolio of Roadchef franchise brands that includes McDonalds, Costa and WH Smith. Sites on M5 and M1 The two trial sites for SPAR stores will be at...