Exclusive Camilla Palmer Sainsbury is finding it impossible to grow the Local c-store chain as fast as it would like because it cannot find enough sites to develop. The multiple has been placing discrete ads in which it says it is "urgently" searching for existing properties and new developments in London and the M25 and in Kent, Sussex and Surrey. The multiple says it wants sites with 2,500 sq ft to 3,000 sq ft of selling space and a further 3,000 sq ft of "ancilliary accommodation". Suitable units would be in busy shopping areas close to dense residential or working populations and "preferably close to tube, train or bus stations" or routes near major roads. Mark Sheehan, national retail director at property consultants Christie & Co, said Sainsbury would have difficulty in fulfilling its aim to open 35 Local stores by the end of the year. Sheehan said he would be "surprised" if Sainsbury could develop and open that many stores, unless it compromised its rigid criteria. "The stores they've already opened have needed lots of development and building ­ that takes time," he said. But a Sainsbury spokesman said there was no panic and insisted the target would be reached even though it has only opened six to date. Sheehan thought it doubtful Sainsbury would snap up any Alldays stores, and said there was no c-store company with sites compatible with Local's needs. "Sainsbury can concentrate on opening the best quality stores by developing organically," he said. And if its target to open 200 Local stores within three years is met, Sainsbury would become one of the largest c-store players in the country, according to Sheehan. "The c-store market has lacked truly national brands ­ that will change as more supermarkets muscle into the market," he added. l Sainsbury opened its seventh conventional store in Derry last month ­ the first in Northern Ireland to sport the multiple's new "living orange" corporate livery. The new store features food to go and deli counters. The multiple said it was not planning to open any Local c-stores or Central supermarkets in Ulster. {{NEWS }}

Topics