Independent retailer Muru Visana opens new SPAR store in Clavering

The picturesque village of Clavering in Essex is home to a brand-new SPAR Market owned by enterprising independent retailer Muru Visana and family.

The Visana family have traded for nearly forty years in Clavering village and have been at the 4,000sqft site since it was purpose built in 1992.

Officially opened on Saturday 22 October, the Clavering store is new to the symbol group SPAR. Supported by SPAR wholesaler, Blakemore Trade Partners, the total investment into the refurbishment and transformation of SPAR Market Clavering was £250,000. 

In recent weeks, the store has undergone a huge transformation including brand new eco chillers and pack system. The chilled capacity has been increased by 50% and it has a new food-to-go section, as well as instore prepared sandwiches and a bakery section with an added hot food offer catering to a wider audience and the right range for different points in the day.

Customers can choose their own loose chocolates from a serve over at the till section, treat themselves to a COOK frozen ready meal or cook from scratch with Blakemore Trade Partners own exclusive ‘County Bridge’ butchery range.

The major change has been to upgrade the store to the SPAR Market format. Today it offers an increased fresh offering, working closer with local suppliers and offering more diverse ranges and a comprehensive food to go offering. Loose fruit and veg are also a fantastic addition to reduce plastic consumption.

The SPAR Market store format is ideal for stores with shop floor space of more than 2,000sqft and targets shoppers with higher basket spends. SPAR Market stores offer more fresh foods, a greater range of products including premium BWS and frozen ranges and focus on supporting local ranges. Stores can also offer cafés, butchers, delicatessens, and premium food-to-go counters.

The store stands out from the local competition now with a great fresh offering and a full range of services including a Tango Ice Blast, Dunkin Donuts, Main Post Office, vaping section, and a large car park attracts shoppers from several villages. 

Muru Visana said: “I was very impressed with the SPAR Market proposition, and I immediately knew it would push our store to new heights. It was great that Blakemore Trade Partners could not only plan the store but execute it with Blakemore Design and Shopfitting. 

“I knew from speaking to other SPAR retailers and visiting SPAR stores, that Blakemore Trade Partners would be invested in my store’s transformation and the future of my business. I am really impressed with how much support I have had throughout the entire process and would recommend SPAR and Blakemore Trade Partners to those retailers looking to take their store to the next level.”

Stuart Ware, New Business Manager at Blakemore Trade Partners, said: “We are delighted to partner with Muru and welcome his family and team into SPAR. Muru had a vision to improve his store offering and we worked as a partnership to bring all the ideas to life. To switch symbol group after so many years and make a major investment at the same time is a brave decision, but one that we fully supported.

“We are busy planning Muru’s second store with his brother, Dilip Visana, and bringing his store in Kedington into the SPAR family.”

Ware added: “As an independent business we understand what other independent businesses need. We are encouraging retailers to join SPAR to benefit from the range, quality, and margins on fresh products. As well as a vast range of award-winning SPAR own label products. We also discuss joint investment plans to assist in developing stores.”