The new Budgens Local fascia was launched officially this week at a former Alldays store in Aylesbury. The latest Budgens format and supply deal is aimed at independent retailers with stores over 1,500 sq ft. (The Grocer, July 8). Norman Kears, Budgens director of franchise operations, said: "We are planning to roll out the new format to at least 50 stores over the next two years. "We will adapt the design to meet consumer demand as we go along." Store owner Barry Sugrue, described the format ­ which carries videos and a strong off-licence section as well as chilled food and fresh bread ­ as "a supermarket with a bit of convenience thrown in". He said promotions and opening offers such as four pints of milk at 85p and six-packs of Budgen's own brand crisps at 39p were being snapped up at the 2,200 sq ft store. Sugrue said overall sales had been up 40% since the refit at the outlet which opens between 7am and 11pm daily. Budgens Local will also offer customers services such as ATM machines and telephones, subject to local demand. Budgens is still in negotiations with the banks over its ATM provision, and a space has been left by Sugrue's doorway for one. Sugrue said his other store near Milton Keynes would follow the Aylesbury lead and open in the new Budgens format this October. Kears said: "We are currently looking for retailers who fall within our existing distribution area, with individual units or small groups of stores. These stores need to be a minimum of 1,500 sq ft and must match Budgen's criteria." {{NEWS }}

Topics