Rap duo Krept & Konan have entered the retail game by opening a brand-new supermarket format tailored specifically to serve the needs of black, Asian and ethnic communities in Croydon.
Saveways – a new 15,000 sq ft site on Beddington Lane – will open on Saturday 1 February, in what the musicians and Saveways co-founder the hospitality entrepreneur Kaysor Ali say will set a “new benchmark in the UK ethnic grocery market”.
The store will specialise in premium halal produce as well as world foods. It will be fully equipped with halal meat and poultry counters, fresh and frozen fish and a fresh bakery selection, alongside a full category lineup of 8,000 SKUs in tinned, ambient, chilled, hair and beauty, household and cosmetic products.
All three founders have roots in south London, and say that Saveways has been founded to “fill a gap” in the grocery offer currently served to Croydon residents. Despite clear demand for a full line, one-stop shop from Croydon’s sizeable black, Asian and mixed ethnic community, the area has been “underserved” by “small convenience stores” lacking in “variety, hygiene standards, parking, and fair pricing”, Saveways said.
Saveways would bring all of those “under one roof” in a professional, fully branded and “modern retail space” that prioritised both customer experience and affordability.
The store also features self-serve scanners from NCR Voyix as well as parking spaces for 30 cars. Online ordering and click & collect will be available, with groceries also listed for delivery on Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat.
Alongside its supermarket offer, Saveways will also operate a wholesale service for local restaurants and takeaways. It has already established “exclusive” UK distribution deals with brands including Martin’s Potato Rolls, as well as supply deals with Heinz and McCain.
Read more: What are British Muslim shoppers buying from the supermarkets?
Krept & Konan – real names Casyo Johnson and Karl Wilson – first came to prominence in 2012 and as presenters on the BBC talent show The Rap Game UK. Saveways is not their first step into fmcg and hospitality: the musicians opened dessert restaurant Crepes & Cones in Croydon. Krept is also the co-founder of baby skincare brand Nala’s Baby, launched in 2022.
“It’s an honour for us to partner up on this venture,” the pair said. “We are all about representation in the community and finding solutions, we are all from under-represented communities so this is a perfect partnership. Saveways is game-changing for our community and we are excited to bring this vision to life.”
Their Saveways co-founder Ali is the owner of halal causal dining chain Steakout, and the viral burger brand Smacks Hamburgers.
“Together, we’ve combined our skills, networks, and passion to create a supermarket experience that not only serves the community but sets a new standard for quality, inclusivity, and excellence in the UK food retail space,” Ali said.
“This partnership has allowed Saveways to become more than just a supermarket, it’s a statement of culture, unity, and progress for our communities.
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