Blakemore Trade Partners Pledges £100,000 Investment to Ruskington Retailer

January 09, 2020

Blakemore Trade Partners has pledged a £100,000 investment to SPAR retailer Paul Baxter to enable him to carry out a transformational store development.

Paul runs D C Baxter Motors forecourt in the affluent village of Ruskington in Lincolnshire.

The investment, which was awarded as a prize at Blakemore Trade Partners’ SPAR Retail Show, will enable Paul to extend his store by circa 350 sq ft. This will provide additional selling space and a new opportunity to change the layout and review the range.

Over the years Paul has been committed to developing his business. In 2015 he invested heavily in his forecourt by installing new fuel tanks and fuel pumps. This was followed by a brand new car park in 2017 and the installation of solar panels in 2019.

However, Paul recognises that these developments have not addressed recent changes in customer shopping missions, or the need to modernise the interior of his store.

He explained: “We have overlooked the opportunity to become what our village wants us to be: a convenience store that fulfils people’s need for fresh quality foods.

“We would like to be known in the area as the destination to get all ingredients for ‘tonight’s tea’, and want to ensure that our store development captures more recent trends and market insight.”

Blakemore Trade Partners Sales Director Louis Drake commented: “It is essential that stores evolve and invest continuously to stay ahead of the competition. Blakemore Trade Partners continues to provide support in the way of co-investment to enable our retailers to do this.

“Our new Store Cluster strategy is built on customer insight to ensure that the investments our retailers are making are delivering what consumers require.”

With high local demand for good quality fresh food and premium ranges, there is a huge opportunity for Paul’s store to expand its fresh, grocery and wine categories as well as its premium offer, utilising products within the Blakemore Fine Foods range. Increasing the fresh and chilled offering will also help to grow margins.

Paul added: “My long-term plan is to ensure the continuation of my family heritage by keeping up to date with customer needs and improving the range of products and services available in the store.

“With support from A.F. Blakemore and the SPAR brand I hope to make this happen. As a family business and independent wholesaler, AFB understands my desire to remain a truly independent store and is willing to invest time, retail expertise and financial support into my business to grow my proposition, sales and margin.

“Since joining SPAR, I have found the support network incredibly valuable, and I am very committed to the brand.”

D C Baxter Motors Ltd is a third-generation family business that was established in 1971 by Paul’s grandfather. It joined SPAR in 2010.
 

D C Baxter Motors forecourt in Ruskington, Lincolnshire
 

SPAR Ruskington was awarded the £100,000 investment at BTP's SPAR Retail Show 

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