Futureproofing convenience the focus at SPAR Inspire retailer event

Almost 600 delegates heard category success stories and case studies of redefining store offers at James Hall & Co. Ltd’s SPAR Inspire retailer event.

Held at Harrogate Convention Centre, an insight-rich agenda was put together to support SPAR independent retailers to futureproof their business in the changing world of convenience retail.

Michael Fletcher, Managing Director of SPAR UK, kicked off the day delivering a powerful presentation on the strength of SPAR’s multiple award-winning own brand range of 750 products and the uniqueness of SPAR brand lines to SPAR stores.

He also delved into increasing value of having a strong SPAR own-brand range with IGD polling showing 68% of people are now purchasing more own label products due to the cost of living and 57% saying they would pay more for quality own label products in convenience stores.

Bookending the morning sessions, Andrew Hall, Deputy Chairman and Joint Managing Director of James Hall & Co. Ltd, reinforced the SPAR own-brand message by announcing the imminent launch of another 50 SPAR International lines available to SPAR North of England retailers.

He also highlighted the quality and value to be found with James Hall & Co. Ltd brands including Cheeky Coffee, Fazilas, Clayton Park Bakery, and Ann Forshaw’s Alston Dairy, before closing with the message that James Hall & Co. Ltd is a family business working with family businesses.

There were a string of SPAR independent retail success stories and category project results shared too from key areas including Food To Go, meal solutions, dairy, and bread and cakes.

From the 24 independently owned SPAR stores highlighted as case studies, each of them had achieved major double digit percentage growth in both sales and gross profit in their respective category.

Other topics on the day included the importance of Food To Go and coffee in the convenience offer, a focus on customer campaigns, retail technology, value and promotion strategies, and fresh produce.

There were 30% more suppliers this year and the total of 58 leading suppliers at the afternoon tradeshow included gold event sponsors Budweiser Brewing Group, Nestlé Confectionery, Walkers, Carlsberg Britvic, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, and British American Tobacco.

One lucky retailer had the chance to win up to £10,000 of free stock ordered on the day through the incentivised tradeshow, and this year SPAR independent retailer Mark Follen’s Bolton-le-Sands store in Lancashire was the winner.

A social evening of entertainment followed the day where Fazilas curries and Clayton Park Kitchen meals were showcased through the catering offer served to retailers and suppliers.

Bhavesh Parekh, who has been in convenience retail for 15 years, spoke in front of retailers during the morning sessions. He is one of many SPAR independent retailers whose family business has been redefined with support from James Hall & Co. Ltd.

Bhavesh said: “I was delighted to highlight the redefining of my business at SPAR Inspire. My stores in Southport and Gregson Lane are both neighbourhood sites and neither really benefit from passing trade, however introducing Food To Go, including hot food as well as Cheeky Coffee, has driven significant growth.

“My sales at Southport have increased by 70% since I acquired the store in July 2020. I wondered if I could replicate it with my Gregson Lane site acquired in July 2021 and I’m thrilled to say I have exceeded that with a store sales increase of 81%. What is more, both of my stores are delivering strong profit margins too.

“Changing the store layout and reducing the space for news and magazines have been key. I have also grown my fresh food ranges my bread and cake offer and enhanced the merchandising of customer staples like eggs to achieve improved results. I am ecstatic with the progress and grateful for the support from James Hall & Co. Ltd.”

Peter Dodding, Sales Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd and Chairman of the SPAR Northern Guild, said: “SPAR Inspire has raised the bar again and I truly hope retailers attending will take stock of learnings and be motivated to invest in their business and capitalise as the future of convenience retailing changes.

“The wealth of success stories in the morning sessions from across the SPAR family were very impactful. These have been achieved by utilising our dedicated category management and fresh food sales teams to support either financial investment into a category or simply devoting time into an area to deliver improved performance.

“In the afternoon tradeshow we maximised the space available to us in the conference hall, accommodating more suppliers while simultaneously creating extra space between exhibitors to increase ease of movement for retailers wishing to engage with them.

“I would like to thank our valued suppliers for their generosity in supporting SPAR Inspire as without their continued support, we would not be able to deliver the event.”

James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.