Retailers the Samani family have given birth to a C& C and now a fascia. John Wood reports
With Booker, Bestway and Dhamecha dominating London’s cash and carry sector, it might appear a forbidding market to enter, but since its launch five years ago Premier Wholesale (UK) has built up a thriving business.
Like many other wholesalers, the Samani family entered the market as retailers, opening their first shop in 1983 and building up to an estate of 12 stores in London including four forecourt sites.
Aroon Samani says the unit the C& C operates out of was bought five years ago to provide a central distribution for their shops. They quickly decided they could also provide a wholesale service to other retailers.
A grounding in retail has helped shape the wholesale business, says Aroon. “Our experience in retail gives us a good feeling for what’s going on out there, and the issues that independent retailers face,” he says. His brother Rajesh runs the retail side of the business and it still helps to shape the range on offer at the depot with its EPoS data.
Offering both a C&C service, and deliveries using the lorries that also service their own stores, the business has grown in the past five years to the stage where it has 750 retail customers, 30-50 deliveries a day and a turnover of £20m.
In June the business joined Landmark, having previously been a member of Landmark affiliate Sterling Supergroup.
Aroon says Landmark has been helpful in developing their retail offer. He has set up a retail club called am2pm, which initially offered a three-weekly promotion package backed by leaflets delivered to members.
The club, which is now 80 strong, is looking to advise members on ranging and layout, and is looking forward to working on Landmark’s hothouse project, which aims to match retailers’ range to local shoppers buying habits.
A drop shipment scheme has also developed with about 20 suppliers. It started with basics like bread and milk, says Aroon, but is branching out into supplying a greater range of products. The scheme is designed to make administration simple for retailers, he says, involving a single invoice each week.
Aroon is also looking to take the group on to a further stage with the launch of an am2pm fascia. The first prototypes have already gone up on two of the Samani’’s stores as a design is finalised.
He says 15 retailers have already shown an interest in putting up the fascia, with 50% of the cost covered by Premier, and he hopes to have 30-40 installed by the end of the summer.
With Booker, Bestway and Dhamecha dominating London’s cash and carry sector, it might appear a forbidding market to enter, but since its launch five years ago Premier Wholesale (UK) has built up a thriving business.
Like many other wholesalers, the Samani family entered the market as retailers, opening their first shop in 1983 and building up to an estate of 12 stores in London including four forecourt sites.
Aroon Samani says the unit the C& C operates out of was bought five years ago to provide a central distribution for their shops. They quickly decided they could also provide a wholesale service to other retailers.
A grounding in retail has helped shape the wholesale business, says Aroon. “Our experience in retail gives us a good feeling for what’s going on out there, and the issues that independent retailers face,” he says. His brother Rajesh runs the retail side of the business and it still helps to shape the range on offer at the depot with its EPoS data.
Offering both a C&C service, and deliveries using the lorries that also service their own stores, the business has grown in the past five years to the stage where it has 750 retail customers, 30-50 deliveries a day and a turnover of £20m.
In June the business joined Landmark, having previously been a member of Landmark affiliate Sterling Supergroup.
Aroon says Landmark has been helpful in developing their retail offer. He has set up a retail club called am2pm, which initially offered a three-weekly promotion package backed by leaflets delivered to members.
The club, which is now 80 strong, is looking to advise members on ranging and layout, and is looking forward to working on Landmark’s hothouse project, which aims to match retailers’ range to local shoppers buying habits.
A drop shipment scheme has also developed with about 20 suppliers. It started with basics like bread and milk, says Aroon, but is branching out into supplying a greater range of products. The scheme is designed to make administration simple for retailers, he says, involving a single invoice each week.
Aroon is also looking to take the group on to a further stage with the launch of an am2pm fascia. The first prototypes have already gone up on two of the Samani’’s stores as a design is finalised.
He says 15 retailers have already shown an interest in putting up the fascia, with 50% of the cost covered by Premier, and he hopes to have 30-40 installed by the end of the summer.
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