Paul Stone 49 (49)
Sales: £15.2m (+7.8%)
Pre-tax profits: N/A
Stores: 7 (+75%)
Spar retailer Paul Stone is on a roll. In 2015 it opened three new stores, the first two in his Manchester heartland and the third (its seventh) his first venture outside the city since the family business first ventured into convenience four decades ago. For the neighbourhood convenience offering in Stockport, Stone has focused on a mission-based layout with a strong food-to-go offering to tap booming demand for sandwiches, salads and snacks. He plans to keep growing the portfolio even more over the next 12 months as well with two new stores planned in the first quarter of 2016 alone.
Stone is still charging ahead with his Cheeky Coffee Co brand, too. As well as featuring across much of his estate, there are plans to roll out a nationwide franchising package. The retailer has invested in excess of £250k in the new venture, which launched its first outlet in 2012 in the student district of Manchester. It directly challenges the pricier Starbucks with £1.80 lattes and toast for 50p.
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