The Northern English chain Booths has made the cut for the second time - a real feat for a British supermarket chain that is one of the smallest in the country.
But once again, the quality of its offer, its focus on local sourcing and head for innovation - its pioneering Artisan speciality food shop and restaurant in Kendal in Cumbria is now 18 months old - have helped it to really stand out from the crowd.
Simon Bell, retail director of foodservice firm Leathams, voted Booths' Chorley store in Lancashire first above Selfridges in London. He applauds its excellent customer service, knowledge of products and friendly staff.
Natalie Berg, retail analyst at Planet Retail, also nominated the Chorley store, for its "commitment to local food while satisfying the premium shopper's palate".
Its success is reflected in its financial performance: sales rose 6.8% to £215m in the year to April 30. This could elevate it from third to second place in The Grocer's next Top 50 ranking of independent retailers, leapfrogging Spar retailer Tates.
Booths itself is rightly proud of its proactive local sourcing policy. "Booths has always had a very clear idea of what makes a regional food store so vital to its local community," according to chairman Edwin Booth.
And it's not mere rhetoric. Three quarters of its fresh meats are produced locally, as is 42% of its bread. Its entire range of fresh fruit and vegetables is locally grown.
It launched a major promotion of 500 locally sourced lines in September. Supported with posters and shelf displays, the promotion has highlighted a range of products from rare breed meats to organic breads and home-made jams.
Cumbrian products include air dried ham and Waberthwaite Cumberland sausage. Other fine fare includes prize-winning yoghurts from Longley Farm in Yorkshire and Mrs Kirkham's Tasty Lancashire cheese.
Also central to the Booths agenda is expansion of its wine range, now formidable, especially once its internet offering is accounted for. It lists 26,000 wines online, with up to 12,000 more coming on stream within a year.
It also does a lot to promote local food. Last month, for instance, it made its first appearance at the North West Food Lovers Festival at Tatton Park near Knutsford, with a marquee filled with samples of local produce from around the region.
The growth in Booths' estate, meanwhile, continues unabated. It has 26 stores and plans to finish its new Lytham St Annes store in Lancashire, complete with mezzanine level restaurant, in August 2007.
New builds are on the agenda for Garstang and Hesketh Bank, as well as Lancashire, which, with Cumbria, Yorkshire and Cheshire, is one of its four main retail bases. Booths is also half way through a two-year store refurbishment programme.
"We have always remained true to our core beliefs and continue to invest heavily in the quality of stores and innovation," says Booth.
Location: Northern England
Established: 1847
No. of stores: 26
Fact: stocks 71 speciality breads
But once again, the quality of its offer, its focus on local sourcing and head for innovation - its pioneering Artisan speciality food shop and restaurant in Kendal in Cumbria is now 18 months old - have helped it to really stand out from the crowd.
Simon Bell, retail director of foodservice firm Leathams, voted Booths' Chorley store in Lancashire first above Selfridges in London. He applauds its excellent customer service, knowledge of products and friendly staff.
Natalie Berg, retail analyst at Planet Retail, also nominated the Chorley store, for its "commitment to local food while satisfying the premium shopper's palate".
Its success is reflected in its financial performance: sales rose 6.8% to £215m in the year to April 30. This could elevate it from third to second place in The Grocer's next Top 50 ranking of independent retailers, leapfrogging Spar retailer Tates.
Booths itself is rightly proud of its proactive local sourcing policy. "Booths has always had a very clear idea of what makes a regional food store so vital to its local community," according to chairman Edwin Booth.
And it's not mere rhetoric. Three quarters of its fresh meats are produced locally, as is 42% of its bread. Its entire range of fresh fruit and vegetables is locally grown.
It launched a major promotion of 500 locally sourced lines in September. Supported with posters and shelf displays, the promotion has highlighted a range of products from rare breed meats to organic breads and home-made jams.
Cumbrian products include air dried ham and Waberthwaite Cumberland sausage. Other fine fare includes prize-winning yoghurts from Longley Farm in Yorkshire and Mrs Kirkham's Tasty Lancashire cheese.
Also central to the Booths agenda is expansion of its wine range, now formidable, especially once its internet offering is accounted for. It lists 26,000 wines online, with up to 12,000 more coming on stream within a year.
It also does a lot to promote local food. Last month, for instance, it made its first appearance at the North West Food Lovers Festival at Tatton Park near Knutsford, with a marquee filled with samples of local produce from around the region.
The growth in Booths' estate, meanwhile, continues unabated. It has 26 stores and plans to finish its new Lytham St Annes store in Lancashire, complete with mezzanine level restaurant, in August 2007.
New builds are on the agenda for Garstang and Hesketh Bank, as well as Lancashire, which, with Cumbria, Yorkshire and Cheshire, is one of its four main retail bases. Booths is also half way through a two-year store refurbishment programme.
"We have always remained true to our core beliefs and continue to invest heavily in the quality of stores and innovation," says Booth.
Location: Northern England
Established: 1847
No. of stores: 26
Fact: stocks 71 speciality breads
No comments yet