Farmfoods has reclaimed top spot in The Grocer’s third annual ranking of the independent sector’s Top 50 chains. But some old faces have disappeared due to consolidation.
The frozen food discounter, which headed the Top 50 in 2002, has had two consecutive years of 40%-plus growth and its annual turnover is now £350m.
The much-admired Scottish outfit has 277 stores. Alf Carr, director general of the British Frozen Food Federation, said: “Farmfoods is a superbly run business in every way - good products, competitive prices and a sophisticated supply chain.”
Farmfoods had triumphantly carried the banner for long-term planning because, he said, “it hasn’t got the City on its back looking for immediate results”.
Farmfoods usurped last year’s number one Tates, which has slipped to second spot. However the c-store chain, owned by Spar’s biggest wholesaler AF Blakemore,enjoyed sales growth of 8.9% over the year.
Preston-based supermarket chain Booths moved up one place in the ranking, to number three. Last year’s number four leapfrogged Unwins due to a 9% increase in sales. Chairman Edwin Booth said investment and improvements in his stores and the quality of its offer had increased sales and he predicted “robust growth”.
The Top 50 also proved a triumph for Spar, which has seven members in the top 20, and for Nisa, with 20 members on the list.
Spar’s marketing director Susan Darbyshire said: “This is testament to ongoing work to modernise and improve.”
John Sharpe, MD of Nisa-Today’s Central Distribution Services, said. “Our members’ year-on-year growth mirrors our own substantial growth.”
But the ranking saw some notable absentees as a result of acquisitions. Last year’s number 10, c-store/CTN chain Balfour, has been snapped up by the Co-operative Group, Fresh & Wild fell into the hands of US organics retail giant Whole Foods Market and Icelandic retailer Baugur bought an 80% stake in Julian Graves. Morgam News was acquired by fellow Top 50 member Mills Group.
The ranking still includes London-based Adminstore and Spar retailer AJ Gillespie, clinging on to independent status despite being in takeover talks with Tesco and Scots Spar wholesaler CJ Lang respectively.
All the Top 50 are eligible to enter The Grocer Gold Award for the best independent retail chain. Call Nicola Smith on 01293 610427 for details.
>>p33 Top tactics for growth
Sean McAllister
The frozen food discounter, which headed the Top 50 in 2002, has had two consecutive years of 40%-plus growth and its annual turnover is now £350m.
The much-admired Scottish outfit has 277 stores. Alf Carr, director general of the British Frozen Food Federation, said: “Farmfoods is a superbly run business in every way - good products, competitive prices and a sophisticated supply chain.”
Farmfoods had triumphantly carried the banner for long-term planning because, he said, “it hasn’t got the City on its back looking for immediate results”.
Farmfoods usurped last year’s number one Tates, which has slipped to second spot. However the c-store chain, owned by Spar’s biggest wholesaler AF Blakemore,enjoyed sales growth of 8.9% over the year.
Preston-based supermarket chain Booths moved up one place in the ranking, to number three. Last year’s number four leapfrogged Unwins due to a 9% increase in sales. Chairman Edwin Booth said investment and improvements in his stores and the quality of its offer had increased sales and he predicted “robust growth”.
The Top 50 also proved a triumph for Spar, which has seven members in the top 20, and for Nisa, with 20 members on the list.
Spar’s marketing director Susan Darbyshire said: “This is testament to ongoing work to modernise and improve.”
John Sharpe, MD of Nisa-Today’s Central Distribution Services, said. “Our members’ year-on-year growth mirrors our own substantial growth.”
But the ranking saw some notable absentees as a result of acquisitions. Last year’s number 10, c-store/CTN chain Balfour, has been snapped up by the Co-operative Group, Fresh & Wild fell into the hands of US organics retail giant Whole Foods Market and Icelandic retailer Baugur bought an 80% stake in Julian Graves. Morgam News was acquired by fellow Top 50 member Mills Group.
The ranking still includes London-based Adminstore and Spar retailer AJ Gillespie, clinging on to independent status despite being in takeover talks with Tesco and Scots Spar wholesaler CJ Lang respectively.
All the Top 50 are eligible to enter The Grocer Gold Award for the best independent retail chain. Call Nicola Smith on 01293 610427 for details.
>>p33 Top tactics for growth
Sean McAllister
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