Scottish Spar chain Botterills has set itself a sales target of £55.8m for the year to May 2003 and is aiming for 20% gross profit.
Profits will be ploughed into extending and refurbishing the portfolio, with two or three new stores scheduled to open early next year.
The 36-store chain will also spend £160,000 on upgrading its IT systems.
Botterills MD Jim Botterill said at the company awards dinner it had been a difficult year with only one new store opening, margins squeezed and staff recruitment proving difficult.
The company saw sales of £50m for the year to May 31, up 4% on 2001 with a 12% growth in net profit.
Six stores were refurbished in the last year and Food to Go introduced into four outlets. All dairy cabinets were modernised to reflect the Spar Millennium Store imagery.
Botterill announced that the focus for the next year would be on achieving availability on key convenience items.
He said: "A core range of bread and milk should be available throughout opening hours. We intend to work with suppliers to improve availability at all times".

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