Thousands of retailers work in partnership with symbol groups to improve their standards and encourage innovation. Who helped you develop in 2017?

1. Spar  

An 8.5% increase in sales and a rise in store numbers to more than 180 has made this a good year for Spar. The best Spar stores have always been among the very best in the UK, but in 2017 sharing this best practice appears to have been a focus. Alongside the further roll out of Daily Deli and an encouragement to invest in bakery and butchery counters, retailers have had the opportunity to fit attention-grabbing elements such as orange juice machines. This year marked Spar’s 60th operating in the UK.

Did you know? Award-winning Spar operators Eat 17 have just opened their fourth store in Bishop’s Stortford.

2. Premier

Martyn Parkinson’s tenure at the top of Premier has overseen a raft of retailer-led innovations. Frozen meal deals, a new deli concept and an extension of the Mega Deals initiative are among highlights. There is also widening retailer take up of Premier’s Kid Zone while Premier Deli’s development shows this level of innovation is not about to end. The stunning redevelopment of Dan Cock’s Premier Whitstone Village Stores gave Premier a truly world-class add-ition to its ranks.

Did you know? Dan Cock’s Premier Whitestone Village Stores serves takeaway Sunday roasts to hungry locals.

3. Go Local Extra   

The benefits of Parfetts’ restructuring have been most keenly felt by Go Local Extra retailers. The strength of promotions alongside a retailer-focused approach have been repeatedly mentioned by retailers. Ian Handley of Handley’s News & Convenience began to his relationship with Parfetts just buying stock here and there but he soon got into a conversation with the regional whole-saler’s symbol group about transferring over. Centralised buying and in-depot theatre have also been areas of focus this year.

Did you know?  Cheshire retailer Ian Handley’s basket spend rose from £4 to £7 after joining Go Local Extra.

4. Nisa

The merger with Co-op
might steal the head-lines, but it’s worth remembering this has been another strong year for Nisa. Stores such as Siva Thievanayagan’s  in Peterborough, with its tight core range,  eye-catching food to go offer and tailored Polish and Italian ranges, illustrate how Nisa is helping stores meet shoppers’ needs. Meanwhile, Heritage took further leaps forward with the introduction of salmon and a cake range highlighting the company’s ambition for its own label.

Did you know? Nisa operates with four fascias: Nisa Local, Nisa Extra, Loco and dual-branded.

5. Best-one

A 20% uplift in sales and achieving the top rank for an independent convenience store brand from Which? magazine was, Best-one’s boss James Hall said, a “vindication of the investment we have put in over the past year”. Future areas of focus include boosting retailers’ fresh and chilled offers and improving food to go ranges. With the company’s Ambassadors Club creating a forum for feedback, this is another symbol group where retail members are pushing the group forward.

Did you know? Best-one chilled sales are up 110% year on year.