Tuesday 16th March 2010
New fascia as Bestway retail club swells
Bestway Group has doubled the size of its retail club over the past year following a recruitment drive in depots.
Article from The Grocer
The number of retailers in the Best-in and Xtra Local clubs has risen from 1,082 in January 2009 to 2,164. Bestway and Batleys ran separate retail clubs but combined them in January 2009 as part of the recruitment drive.
The wholesaler launched a new fascia in January dual-branded Best-in and Xtra Local that it is offering to fit for free.
Some 20 retailers have already adopted it and retail club manager Mark Bottomley aims to have 200 stores trading with the fascia by the end of 2010.
"Many independents want to stay independent and this is a way to enable them to do this while still having all the benefits of a retail club and fascia above the door," he said. "As the mults move into the sector retailers are realising they have to raise their game."
Membership of the club requires retailers to commit to an agreed weekly level of sales, sign up to a promotional package and stock some own label in return for better pricing.
The retail club was often a good "halfway house" for retailers and many may use it as a stepping stone to convert their stores to the Best-one symbol, which requires a greater level of loyalty.