Jersey based Spar wholesaler Channel Islands Wholesale Group is heading to Guernsey this year. Discussions are now underway to set up a distribution facility on the island, said group MD Nigel Robson. "Initially, goods will be shipped over from our warehouse in Jersey, but in the long term we want to mirror our Jersey operations in Guernsey," said Robson. "We already have sites earmarked." CIWG owns the Spar franchise for the Channel Islands and runs eight company owned stores and supplies a further four Spar stores as a franchisor. Another four franchisees are coming on board by the end of the year. CIWG also supplies about 150 independent retailers on the island. Robson was not concerned about the arrival of a new co-op superstore in Jersey later in the year. "Basically, we're in a completely different market. But retailers must take business off each other to drive sales, and ours is growing year on year. We are becoming a real force to be reckoned with on the Channel Islands." The group is now looking to roll out food to go across the company owned estate after successful trials in three stores. {{NEWS }}

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