Parfetts' Go Local expands into West Midlands

Parfetts is attracting new retailers to the Go Local fascia across the West Midlands following the opening of its Birmingham depot.

Four new Go Local Extra and nine Go Local fascia stores have joined Parfetts growing network of over 1,200 stores. The latest additions to the network also include eight bespoke stores, where retailers retain their own branding.

Star News on Warwick Road is one of the newest convenience stores to join the Go Local network and is less than half a mile from the Birmingham depot on Redfern Road in Tyseley.

Nirosan Nagarajah from Go Local Star News, said: “I have been with Go Local for over two years, and turnover has increased by over 40 per cent in that time – with margins increasing as well. Parfetts has always gone the extra mile for me, and my business and the Retail Development Advisors plus store development teams have worked closely with us to drive success for our business. Now that the depot has opened in Birmingham, we have even greater flexibility, and the service is even better than before. We would recommend Parfetts and Go Local to anyone.”

Independent retailer Mohammed "Naz" Nazir, who operated his store since 2010 under the Costcutter fascia, became the region’s first Go Local store.

Commenting on the growth of the Midlands store network, Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, said: “The whole team has worked hard to ensure our first depot in the Midlands made an impact. It has performed beyond our expectations, immediately attracting retailers from across the region. We’re keen to bring the benefits of our employee-owned model to independent retailers, and they are increasingly enjoying the range of products and a busy programme of promotional offers.

“As an employee-owned company, we can invest in supporting retailer margins and providing a great experience whether retailers choose to visit the depot or order online. As we continue to expand, we are looking to grow our Go Local, Go Local Extra and The Local fascias throughout the Midlands. Our depot in Birmingham has provided us with a perfect base from which to service the Midlands and M40 corridor.”

The 92,000sq ft Birmingham depot is the wholesaler’s eighth UK depot and created 100 new jobs at launch. Since opening its doors in March, the depot has helped thousands of retailers across the Midlands access great value offers and expertise through Parfetts' extensive network of development advisers.

Parfetts revenue reached a record £570m last year, and the new Birmingham depot is an important part of its growth plans. In addition to traditional retail lines and a solid on-trade proposition, the business carries over 1000 food service-specific products complemented by the availability of non-food service-specific lines. It includes licensed products, bar necessities, non-foods and catering disposables.