Booker Retail Partners (BRP) is to launch a refreshed Londis format in August, with retailer Nishi Patel’s store in London acting as the blueprint for future refurbishments.

Patel confirmed to RN that his 1,800sq ft site in Eltham, south London, is expected to convert to the new template by the end of the summer, with his other store in Bexley Park to follow. The two stores are already Londis sites.

The new flagship Londis store will feature more “premium” imagery of products on the shopfront and inside. More profitable categories such as food to go, vaping, fresh and chilled will also be given their own dedicated areas to encourage customers to increase their spend and make larger supermarket-style shops. Another major addition is backlit signage across the different areas to help draw attention from customers.

BRP began teasing the concept to store owners in May, with interested retailers stating it could help them fill gaps in areas such as food to go. Speaking at the Federation of Wholesale Distributor’s annual conference last month, Booker chief operating officer Johnny McQuarrie confirmed 10 retailers have already signed up to convert their stores to the new format. The refresh will also apply to the symbol group’s online branding.

Commenting on the conversion, Patel told Better Retailing: “I’m excited about how it will look. The different zones, new visuals and light up signs will help it stand out. It will follow a similar direction to what Booker has done to Premier regarding food to go.”

Booker has been approached for comment.