In 1983, a young Punjabi couple bought a small corner shop in Immingham, a quiet port settlement in Northeast Lincolnshire, taking over from the English owners who had probably run it since the 1970s.
42 years later, that same shop is still feeding the town. Under the next-generation retailer Manraj Sidhu, the store now has a brand-new identity but is still firmly and proudly attached to its roots.
Speaking with Asian Trader, Sidhu delved in detail into the store’s evolution to its current state and his plans ahead.
“This store was bought by my parents back in 1983. My father and his brother had a partnership.
"As the years went by, us children came along. After working together for more than a decade, my father and my uncle decided to go separate ways. My father kept the store alive.
“I have been actively involved in the business for the last 20 years, starting by helping my father with day-to-day running. For the last five years, I have taken complete control of everything.”
Sidhu’s store was a part of Today’s fascia for a good long run of 20 years. However, earlier this year, when the opportunity came knocking to be the “poster boy” and a concept store of a fairly new symbol group Select & Save, Sidhu decided to take the leap.
After an extensive refurbishment, the store now stands revamped and ready for the future.
Today, Sidhu’s store is Select & Save's first “Drinks Lab” concept store. The Drinks Lab itself is an enclosed 400 sq ft chilled room that houses alcohol, soft drinks, and mixers in one area of the store, holding up to 500 SKUs.
It aims to create in-store theatre to offer a bigger range of drinks to consumers wanting immediate consumption, while also helping retailers reduce their energy bills.
“Our chiller is now one of our biggest strengths,” Sidhu says with pride. “Footfall jumped within weeks. Alcohol sales over the opening weekend alone were 35 per cent up compared to the weekend before the refit, and this will only grow even more.
“Especially during heatwaves seen this year, customers loved it. They spend more time in it, buy more, make impulse decisions.”
Under the new fascia, the store has also debuted an extensive drinks-to-go offer, including a Smokin’ Bean coffee machine, Slush Puppy, and Reece’s Hot Chocolate machine. It also features food-to-go machines, such as Rollover Hot Dog.
Since Select & Save switched its supply deal from Bestway to Booker earlier this year, Sidhu now has access to Booker’s 1,600 fresh and chilled lines, an extensive frozen category, and its Euroshopper and Jack’s own-label brands.
But despite all the innovation, automation, and new technology, the most powerful feature – and what, seemingly, is the store’s USP – is still the oldest, which is hot food cooked under the supervision of none other than Sidhu’s mother.
From sandwiches and sausage rolls to Punjabi hot dishes and now Korean street-food specials, the store’s food-to-go defines its character.
“In our area, people are fond of her cooking. Locals come just for it,” he says. “Her Korean food, especially, has become really popular lately.
“I feel it is my mother’s food that adds to the store’s uniqueness and brings us loyal customers more than anything,” he said.
Although Sidhu has chosen Select & Save for the second innings for his store, he still has fond memories and huge respect for Dee Bee Wholesale.
“I still use its cash and carry as it is quite close to my store. The company has been a huge part of our business for a long time. They had supported my father over all the years, and he always had a very good working relationship with the Today’s people,” Sidhu said.
Sidhu has been running the store for two decades but has no interest in being a “comfortable” retailer.
“Home delivery and hot food are two realms in which I see major growth,” he says. “That’s why I joined Snappy Shopper recently.
“My mother currently cooks from lunchtime onward. I want to bring someone in for breakfast so that we can offer bacon, eggs, and sausage in the morning. There’s big opportunity there.”
At the same time, he is laser-focused on perfecting the basics.
“I am currently fine-tuning every zone, even the basic grocery aisle as well, right brands, right sizes, right quantities. Essentials have to be absolutely correct and to the point,” he said.
The refit also marks a recommitment to local ties. The store already sponsors local football teams and is now planning deeper partnerships with food banks and community organisations.
“This store is only here because of the community. There are a few things in the pipeline in this regard and I am determined to get more involved with local activities,” he said.
With the second lease of life, Sidhu is now brimming with hope for the coming years, though he is also concerned over the legislative obstacles along the way.
The rise of illegal vapes and illicit tobacco is something he is deeply concerned about.
“For instance, three shady-looking stores opened in my area in the last seven-eight weeks, which has been detrimental to my sales.
“They open almost overnight and keep some soft drinks, crisps and chocolates as a cover up. But their real business is illegal vapes and fake cigarettes which they keep either under the counter or hidden nearby.
“This problem needs to be nipped in the bud because it is only getting worse,” he said.
For a store that began with two immigrant brothers seeking a foothold in Britain, this new chapter feels fitting.
A heritage-built store, now competing on innovation, this Sidhu’s story proves that legacy and modern retail can powerfully coexist and win as well.