One Stop franchisee shares seasonal trading secrets

Living by the sea and running a successful business seems like a dream, but for Roger Thompson, it has been his reality for the past two decades. Owner of the One Stop Franchise store in the surfing capital of Wales, Rhosneigr, located in Anglesey and hosting two world famous beaches Traeth Llydon and Traeth Crigyll, Roger’s journey has been one of determination, adaptability, and community-building.

Originally hailing from Shrewsbury, Roger and his family shared a passion for the sea and water sports, leading them to choose Anglesey as their home. Four years ago, they embraced the One Stop franchise model and haven’t looked back since.

Roger has thrived by implementing strategies that have proven successful, however the Covid-19 pandemic brought severe challenges as Anglesey faced tight restrictions that impacted trade – many local competitors relying on traditional cash-and-carry models found it difficult. Roger refused to let adversity defeat him and with support from One Stop, he navigated his way through, applauding the dedication of One Stop drivers who ensured the food chain remained intact even in hard-to-reach areas.

Roger comments: “We’re such a long way away and such a specialist market with its own unique characteristics, it’s taken me a long time to get things right.”

So, what is Roger’s secret to success in franchising within the roller-coaster of coastal living? It all boils down to consistent stock levels and efficient staff management. Roger emphasises the importance of optimised stock management systems, increased storage, capacity clear stockroom zones, streamlining operations for speed and efficiency. He states that customer offer and exceptional customer service is very important for both locals who shop the store year-round, and tourist visitors. “Fostering a sense of community and embracing the Welsh language has strengthened ties with the locals, making the store an integral part of the beautiful coastal community.”

Roger explains: “My team are superb; they’ve helped through thick and thin, and we always help each other. I lead from the front so when it’s showtime, I get stuck in! It makes the day fly past and when it’s quiet the staff can take some time back. Spending time doing things you enjoy or seeing family is incredibly important and it’s why we moved here. I have a grandson now and I want to see him too – the organisation of the One Stop model helps me do this.”

Reflecting on his journey, Roger acknowledges the invaluable support from One Stop, from his Business Development Manager to the management team. Their commitment to providing tailored solutions and flexible systems has allowed Roger’s store to thrive in a manner that suits its unique needs and fluctuating trade patterns.

John Miller, Head of One Stop Franchise, commends Roger’s dedication to building local knowledge and strategic planning. “With a motivated team, Roger’s store is well-prepared to deliver exceptional service to customers and maintain its position as a thriving hub in the community. Running shops that can quadruple sales in an instant, especially when the sun shines, are a huge challenge and demand such hard work from the store team.”