Sheffield looks set to become one of the most competitive C& C markets in the UK, following news that Parfetts is building a state-of-the-art £6m depot on a brownfield site in the Tinsley area.
Rivals Batleys, Booker and Makro already have depots in the area. MD Steve Parfett expects them to respond, but said a combination of modern facilities, his company’s reputation for offering competitive prices and good service, plus an aggressive launch package would all ensure his new depot was a winner.
“We will deliver a dramatically different shopping experience,” he said. “We are not in the habit of knocking our competitors but the Batleys and Booker depots in the area are not the most modern and are a little tired.”
The 75,000 sq ft depot in Sheffield, which will
open for business in the fourth quarter of this year, is the biggest ever capex project undertaken by Parfetts.
The C& C operator has been looking for some time for a suitable site on which to open its sixth depot. Parfett said that after one false start it chose Sheffield. Not only was the Yorkshire city a major conurbation with plenty of potential customers, he explained, but Parfetts’ research highlighted that there was room for another player. The new site is also not too far from Parfetts’ base in Stockport.
“Our growth has been built on a platform of continuous development from a strong base and we are confident we have all the right pieces in place to exploit this new opportunity,” said Parfett.
The company has traditionally expanded through acquisition. But Parfett said such deals were now limited. “Frankly, those depots that do come up for sale don’t come up to our criteria for success and those we would like to buy are generally not up for sale.”
Features of the new depot include stepped back shelving, lit bays, an extensive chilled and frozen offer, strong butchery and fresh produce ranges, EPoS checkouts (including five direct load lanes) and a customer restaurant.
“By launching a new depot we are showing our confidence in a fascinating, fast-changing, challenging and rewarding market,” Parfett said.
>>p17 Parfetts team for its £6m depot
Rivals Batleys, Booker and Makro already have depots in the area. MD Steve Parfett expects them to respond, but said a combination of modern facilities, his company’s reputation for offering competitive prices and good service, plus an aggressive launch package would all ensure his new depot was a winner.
“We will deliver a dramatically different shopping experience,” he said. “We are not in the habit of knocking our competitors but the Batleys and Booker depots in the area are not the most modern and are a little tired.”
The 75,000 sq ft depot in Sheffield, which will
open for business in the fourth quarter of this year, is the biggest ever capex project undertaken by Parfetts.
The C& C operator has been looking for some time for a suitable site on which to open its sixth depot. Parfett said that after one false start it chose Sheffield. Not only was the Yorkshire city a major conurbation with plenty of potential customers, he explained, but Parfetts’ research highlighted that there was room for another player. The new site is also not too far from Parfetts’ base in Stockport.
“Our growth has been built on a platform of continuous development from a strong base and we are confident we have all the right pieces in place to exploit this new opportunity,” said Parfett.
The company has traditionally expanded through acquisition. But Parfett said such deals were now limited. “Frankly, those depots that do come up for sale don’t come up to our criteria for success and those we would like to buy are generally not up for sale.”
Features of the new depot include stepped back shelving, lit bays, an extensive chilled and frozen offer, strong butchery and fresh produce ranges, EPoS checkouts (including five direct load lanes) and a customer restaurant.
“By launching a new depot we are showing our confidence in a fascinating, fast-changing, challenging and rewarding market,” Parfett said.
>>p17 Parfetts team for its £6m depot
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