Independent SPAR retailer Gill Marsh Forecourts Ltd reported a significant uplift in reduced-to-clear sales since adopting food waste reduction platform Gander in February this year.
In the three Gill Marsh Forecourt stores, more than 47,560 reduced-to-clear items have been sold in just six months, recovering over £65,000 in value that would likely have been lost to waste. The tech-driven approach, implemented by managing director, Tom Dant, has boosted weekly sales of short-dated stock by an average of £503, delivering an annualised uplift of over £26,150, all without adding pressure to in-store teams.
“Throwing away tonnes of food is not waste – it’s a lost opportunity,” said Dant. “Gander has made a big impact in a short space of time. There has been no need to change procedures or ask more of our staff, yet we are seeing stronger sell-through on reductions, improved margins and even new customers coming in who are seeking value.”
The Gander platform integrates with retailers’ EPOS and inventory systems to automatically identify products nearing expiry and promote them to shoppers in real time via apps, digital displays and social media. In the case of Gill Marsh’s SPAR stores, Gander has also linked seamlessly with Snappy Shopper, increasing online visibility and sell-through across all channels.
SPAR Partney store in Partney, Lincolnshire
With Lincolnshire’s summer season driving an influx of holidaymakers, footfall naturally rose but Dant says it’s the visibility of value-driven offers that is helping stores capitalise on the opportunity. “Shoppers are increasingly motivated by affordability,” he said. “Technology like Gander makes it easier for us to meet that demand while delivering on our sustainability commitments.”
Ian Bacon, sales manager at Gander, said: “Retailers like Tom are showing how technology can bridge commercial and environmental priorities. Gander helps stores sell more and waste less without extra effort from staff. With food prices rising, the opportunity to be seen as an affordable, sustainable destination is huge.”
According to WRAP, UK retailers waste an estimated £3 billion in food annually. Gander is helping retailers recover that value by surfacing stock that would otherwise go unsold. For Gill Marsh Forecourts, that’s translating into both environmental impact and bottom-line benefit.
“We are seeing new footfall, better margins and greater engagement,” added Dant. “Gander has made it easier to act sustainably and profitably, which is exactly what retailers need in today’s market.”