Independent retailer Jay Karavadra has opened the first Go Local Extra store in Milton Keynes, marking another milestone in Parfetts’ expansion of its symbol group in the south of England.
The 1,700 sq. ft. convenience store previously operated as part of the Best One group. A major refit has now increased the shop floor by more than 38%, featuring a new shopfront, a licensed area with chilled displays, upgraded electrics and plumbing, and the latest refrigeration and self-service tills.
Since the makeover was completed, weekly sales jumped 50%, with Karavadra targeting a further rise of up to 75% in the months ahead. He commented: “The appealing new shop front and signage make a massive difference, and the feedback from everyone has been overwhelming, especially compared with what it had looked like originally.
“Expanding our range and supporting the Go Local promotions will allow us to better compete with larger stores, and the addition of the off-licence will help boost profits. The support from Parfetts has been brilliant, from merchandising to launch planning and ongoing advice, but importantly, the team has let me run the store in my own way.”
Parfetts, which recently spread its cash & carry footprint to the south of England with the opening of a 113,000 sq. ft. depot in Southampton, noted that it was continuing to see strong demand from independent retailers keen to combine “local control with competitive pricing, a robust supply chain and in-depth retail support”.
Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, commented: “Jay and his family have done a fantastic job creating a modern, welcoming store that meets the needs of today’s shoppers. Their investment shows the strength of the Go Local offer and how it helps retailers grow sales while staying rooted in their communities. Milton Keynes is an exciting market for us, and this opening highlights how our symbol group can thrive across the south of England.”
NAM Implications:
- Being retail, try it and see…
- And if it works and investment can be funded…
- …go for full potential.
- Already the results in a challenging market speak for themselves…
