Parfetts is ramping up recruitment for its Go Local fascia as it seeks to hit 1,000 stores.
The cash & carry operator told The Grocer that it was on track to reach its target of 500 stores by the end of the year but said that it is looking to double that figure as soon as it can.
Parfetts head of customer development and marketing Guy Swindell said that store numbers have swelled over the past year thanks to strong availability, flexibility on promotions and higher margins for retailers in a time of industry uncertainty.
Former Premier, Nisa, Costcutter, Spar and Bargain Booze retailers have all switched symbol groups to Parfetts, with store recruitment now averaging two to three sites a week.
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“What I’ve started to notice is the experienced retailers who say ‘I don’t need Spar, I don’t need Nisa, I don’t need these telling me what to do and working off small margins. I just need a supply and a good one’,” said Swindell.
“People come to us and they’ve gone from making 20% margin to 30-33% based on our strength of price and availability, and we’re now able to deliver.”
Recruitment to its Go Local fascia also spiked following the opening of its new Middlesbrough depot.
As many as 10 retailers have signed up since the Middlesbrough depot was launched on 25 June, and a further 25 retailers are expected to join over the next five months.
The development of Parfetts’ delivered wholesale arm over the past three years, which now represents 10% of its business, has also allowed the business to set its sights on new areas for expansion through the Middlesbrough depot, including Hull, Sunderland and Newcastle.
Parfetts currently has 21 retail development advisors in the region to recruit new retailers.
This comes following the end of Parfetts’ financial year last month, which saw turnover soar by 17% excluding tobacco to £350m. All of its 550 staff are set to benefit from its success with a bonus of 4% of its sales this month.
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