North West family forecourt business ARMS Group have opened a new SPAR store and refurbished Shell site at Goose Green in Wigan.
Located on Warrington Road, the previously unaffiliated forecourt shop has more than doubled in size to become a 1,200 sq. ft. SPAR store.
Inside, the comprehensive refurbishment and expansion of the store has enabled the introduction of a much-improved Food To Go offer, which includes the SPAR Meal Deal and a hot food unit built into the store counter.
Other additions through the expansion including a greater range of fresh foods, new frozen foods into the store for the first time, the implementation of SPAR promotions, and the addition of a Tango Ice Blast and Costa Coffee machine.
The fully modernised interior also includes electronic shelf edge labels, energy efficient refrigeration, LED lighting throughout, new flooring and ceiling, and integration into James Hall & Co. Ltd’s scanning system meaning greater support and centralised ordering.
Outside, the eight-pump forecourt has benefited from refreshed Shell branding with brand new pumps and remedial works to improve the site’s appearance. Solar panels have been installed to the canopy and above the store to reduce energy costs and improve the carbon footprint.
ARMS Group, which is run by three brothers Asif, Reece, and Salim Patel, now has seven forecourt stores under the SPAR fascia through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd through a partnership which was first established in 2007.
There will soon be an eighth SPAR store with the conversion of ARMS Group’s Marus Bridge forecourt shop, also located on Warrington Road in Wigan, which is scheduled to changeover in the coming weeks. Two other ARMS Group sites have also undergone full refurbishments in the last 12 months.
Reece Patel, Director at ARMS Group, said: “The family is thrilled with the transformation of Goose Green and the expanded store now under the SPAR brand has improved the site hugely. The range is excellent, and we are positive about its future. Partnering up with James Hall's IT system means we can utilise the system to the fullest extent.
“It caps off a busy 12 months for the business with full refurbishments at our Aigburth and Childwall sites in Liverpool, and other improvements at three more of our sites. The support we have received from several departments at James Hall & Co. Ltd has been integral to our ambitions to grow and develop the business.”
Peter Dodding, Sales Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd and Chair of the SPAR Northern Guild of Retailers, said: “I am delighted for all at ARMS Group after a year of significant investment into their portfolio of sites. The business is also benefiting from better integration with our company through support from store design, IT solutions, and our expert merchandising teams.
“Being part of the SPAR family through James Hall & Co. Ltd provides independent retailers the confidence and platform to expand and modernise their stores. As long-standing SPAR retailers, ARMS Group have chosen to make exciting changes now as they set their business up for the future of convenience retail. There is further development to come, and we look forward to working in close collaboration with them throughout this.”
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.