Eros Retail relaunches as Greens Retail as part of expansion

Scottish convenience chain Eros Retail is to relaunch as part of a major expansion planned for the next two years. 

The Nisa-supplied group will rebrand as Greens Retail at the end of this month, with 10 store openings scheduled during the next six months. 

It expects the expansion to help generate £40m in annual sales, while growing the number of staff to nearly 500. 

Initial openings across Scotland include stores in Kirriemuir, Shettleston and Fraserburgh. 

Greens Retail will also have a “targeted acquisition strategy” to help it identify additional store locations in Scotland, with a target of growing annual sales to £100m. 

When Greens Retail group managing director Harris Aslam initially told Better Retailing about the planned expansion earlier this year, he said there would be investment into categories such as food to go, as well as more stock from local suppliers. 

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The company will appoint David Bateman as its head of retail in June to support the growth. Bateman joins from Nisa Retail and has held previous roles at Woolworths, Palmer & Harvey and Bestway. 

Commenting further on the growth ambitions, Aslam told Better Retailing that expansion has been “really good” and that there were more plans in the pipeline. 

“Coming out of an unprecedented two years of the pandemic, our business and colleagues have shown incredible resilience and, consequently, we have had some fantastic achievements,” he added. 

“From a strategic view, we consolidated our retail estate during this time, ensuring our stores are fit for future growth while also delivering some record-breaking numbers. 

Speaking about Bateman’s appointment, Aslam said: “We look forward to welcoming David to lead our retail proposition and are excited to work closely in ensuring we are growing in a sustainable manner that ensures delivery not only of our financial plans, but also of our newly introduced core values. 

“Over the past six years we have worked with David, we have seen first-hand his excellent leadership and personnel skills as well as his deep convenience retail experience and our mutual passion for the sector. 

“I am confident David will put this to excellent use at Greens.” 

Bateman added: “Having worked closely with the management team at Greens Retail for many years, I am delighted to be joining as head of retail during such a pivotal and exciting phase of growth. 

“In particular, I look forward to overseeing the retail and trading teams as well as working with wider colleagues and partners within the sector with whom I have built a tremendous relationship over my many years in the sector.”