RETAILER PROFILE
How this store thrives despite being surrounded by competitors BACK PAGE 2020 11-24 FEBRUARY betterRetailing.com
PROFILE
24
RETAILER PROFILE PETER PATEL COSTCUTTER BROCKLEY Location: Costcutter Brockley, Lewisham, London Size: 3,000sq ft Staff: 14
T AND ‘I SELL MORE FRUI O’ CC BA TO VEG THAN
11-24 FEBRUARY 2020 STRICTLY FOR TRADE USERS ONLY
are is the and cooking sauces A lot of cusmost successful. N their way DARYL WORTHINGTO tomers come in on buy ingrehome and want to CostcutPatel’s meal from PETER dients to make a south-east sure there’s ter Brockley in d by scratch. We make need, goLondon is surroundehasn’t a range to meet that label to that own competition, yet a highly ing from Co-op’s stopped it having more specialist lines.” months. en12 supplier successful Customer and two Sainsarea “We’re between gagement is another Peter. “Two hard to bury’s Locals,” says where Peter works nearby as out. Co-ops have opened other inmake his store stand customers well, and there are the area. “We talk to our in our selection of lo- before we bring something in, dependent stores and range, and sales have which is one of the Nevertheless, our year.” thoughts,” he says. majority is unpackaged on tal rea- cal beers, the area. These are to see their year one 60% been environmen up has for gone Cook range difference loose, stock biggest in but customers “The Strong points of However, we also the things that draw of our biggest successes, besuccess, with sons. – for example, carThen they’ll walk are vital to this we spoke to our customers vegetarian multipacksis for customers who into the store. middle and see the fore to make sure it was somethe store’s extensive it stand rots. This op- through the as and vegan range makingmuch of are looking for a cheaper bal- more everyday items, such they’d buy.” how this to the till. thing ‘meet out. “I can’t believe as the av- tion. We try to strike groceries, on the way The store also runs and off li“We do it we sell – especially he says. ance throughout the store.” the “Fresh & chilled the supplier’ days. of £4,” is out categoon point most always price biggest the our get year, erage a To his cence are that cusour about three Peter explains. range, Peter and “It’s got to the stage you looked at all us we’ve got uniqueput signi�icant thought ries. If supthe pasta a Saturday,” specialist tomers are telling separately, local team get aisles “We’ll the nearby a better range than the layout of the store. �ive aisle where all the world foods pliers to come in and do tastthey’re com- into over people into supermarket, so “When we took ings. It brings more the till It’s de�initely us a sense ing here instead. years ago, we moved to next CUSTOMERS ARE the store and it gives going to business.” are near the entrance helped us grow the of which suppliers “We TELLING US WE’VE make sure from explains. he shoppers.” Peter strives to window,” of cus- to the do well with our store the store meets a varietyminutes basically shifted the whole cus- GOT A BETTER RANGE few degrees, as I wanted tomer needs. It’s a For more pictures railway sta- by 90 to have to walk around THAN THE NEARBY walk from Brockley of the store, go has a broad tomers a bit before they left. SUPERMARKET tion and the area the store to betterRetailing.com/ interestdemographic. “We put the most and veg costcutter-brockley the perimeter “We have a big fruit – it’s ing lines around – for instance, the display near the entrance ing cat- of the shop vegan one of our best-perform “The fresh fruit and veg, the Peter. egories,” explains
your promotions going 1Keep
“You need to have dedicated it’s seasonal bays. Whether Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, there’s proalways something to is summote. A big one for us Peter. mer barbecue,” says
your 2 Change range
is one “Our local beer range of our key points of difference. We work with local suppliers range and have the biggest it in the area. We change a have regularly and always says. multibuy deal on,” he to your 3 Play strengths tend to
“Our customers So, we cook for themselves. fresh in have a good variety veg. & chilled and fruit and When people buy protein need or fruit and veg, they it.” something to go with
NICOTINE LOOPHOLES EXPOSED Tobacco giants demand crackdown to better protect under-18s from ‘unscrupulous stores’
P3 CRIME RESULTS EXPECTED
REP IMPROVEMENT CALLS
CRISPS & SNACKS
The findings from last year’s Home Office consultation to be revealed in March
Supplier reps criticised by indies for having a ‘lack of power’ when building relationships
Boost this core category with five savoury snack ideas that you can try in your store
P2
P4
P17-19