18% higher basket spend for the IAA’s Top 100 Stores

One hundred independent convenience shops have been unveiled as the best in the country by the Independent Achievers Academy (IAA).

Retailers tapping into the latest trends and acting on expert advice has helped fuel an 18% higher basket spend in the Independent Achievers Academy’s Top 100 stores, in comparison to the UK average.

Along with the IAA’s Top 100 local shops announcement this week, the Academy published research showing the average basket spend in the selected stores was £7.10 compared to the national average of £5.99.

Brothers Alpesh and Bimal Patel, of Londis Ferme Park Road in London, said they have grown basket spend from £6.50 to £9 over three years. They attribute a large portion of their success to working with the IAA and taking on advice about introducing new categories.

“This year we’ve introduced a lot of gluten-free and vegan products, which are really popular because a lot of people want to be healthy,” said Bimal. “We’ve also added craft beer.”

The figures also highlight the number of Top 100 stores offering hot food to go is 58%, up from 21% in 2016, while the percentage of shops offering sandwiches has grown from 47% to 91%.

David Ramsey, of Byram Park Stores in west Yorkshire, said: “In the past year we have started doing hot food to go and it now accounts for up to 12% of our turnover, it’s been really popular.”

Mr Ramsey has made the Top 100 list three out of the past four years, and in that time has witnessed his store turnover increase from £3,000 a week to £16,000.

The findings also indicate an increase in the number of services offered by the selected stores, with 95% offering express payment facilities, 74% providing a parcel service and 77% offering home delivery.

Sunita Kanji, of Family Shopper Little Hulton in Manchester, who has an average basket spend of £8 said: “The IAA provides an opportunity to share ideas and find out if what you’re doing could be improved.”

Retailers that made it into the coveted Top 100 list said they had used the IAA to benchmark their businesses and make improvements.

The list contains 41 new shops, and 18 have made the top 100 for the third year in a row. Forty-four per cent of stores on the list operate from a site of 1,000sq ft or under, and 89% are affiliated with a symbol group.

Nick Shanagher, managing director at Newtrade, which runs the IAA, said the top retailers give customers a compelling offer on cost, choice and convenience.

“With our partners, the IAA benchmarking helps with the simple, small, smart things that make a difference so they can compete with the chain stores and Amazon,” he added.

A shortlist of shops will be announced on 11 September, which will be judged by the editors of Retail Express, RN and leading industry experts.

Twelve category stars and an overall best shop will be revealed at the IAA Gala Dinner on 29 November.

Find out the full Top 100 list.