Consolidation in the Scottish c-store sector continued this week with the acquisition of Spar retailer SCS (Scotland) by Scotmid.
The 13-store chain, built up by the Sokolowski family and which at its peak owned 16 stores, was purchased by the Scottish co-op society.
SCS is the third large independent c-store chain in Scotland to be sold this year, following Somerfield’s acquisition of the Aberness group and the sale of 17-store AJ Gillespie to Spar wholesaler and retailer CJ Lang. Aberness was ranked 33 in The Grocer Top 50 and Gillespie was 43. SCS was ranked 45 in the inaugural Top 50 in 2002 but had not appeared since. There are now just four Scottish chains left in the Top 50.
Colin Bird, chief executive of Scotmid, said: “The Spar stores we have purchased range in size from 750 sq ft through to 2,000 sq ft, employ 189 staff and are already an important and integral part of local communities. They provide an excellent fit with our thriving food operation. We will shortly announce a programme of rebranding from Spar to Scotmid.”
The 13-store chain, built up by the Sokolowski family and which at its peak owned 16 stores, was purchased by the Scottish co-op society.
SCS is the third large independent c-store chain in Scotland to be sold this year, following Somerfield’s acquisition of the Aberness group and the sale of 17-store AJ Gillespie to Spar wholesaler and retailer CJ Lang. Aberness was ranked 33 in The Grocer Top 50 and Gillespie was 43. SCS was ranked 45 in the inaugural Top 50 in 2002 but had not appeared since. There are now just four Scottish chains left in the Top 50.
Colin Bird, chief executive of Scotmid, said: “The Spar stores we have purchased range in size from 750 sq ft through to 2,000 sq ft, employ 189 staff and are already an important and integral part of local communities. They provide an excellent fit with our thriving food operation. We will shortly announce a programme of rebranding from Spar to Scotmid.”
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