Award-winning store One Stop Mount Nod in Coventry has been sold to new owners today (11 April) as the Uppal family that have run the business for 32 years have made the decision to exit the convenience channel.

Speaking to Better Retailing, Aman Uppal said he was sad about the sale, but also excited for what the future holds for his family. His mother, Mal, will retire, while he and his brother, Joga, will pursue their own career paths, which may still be involved in the convenience industry.

“We were in our ninth year of our One Stop contract, which runs for five years, and we agreed as a family that it was the right time for mum to retire. Initially, after dad passed away, we wanted to complete the project of opening a One Stop as it was his dream and vision. We planned to sell the business in 2020, but then Covid hit and it wasn’t the right time. But five years on, we’ve found the right owners to take over the shop and it’s the perfect time to make that step.”

Aman’s father, Bal, found a closed site in 1993 and felt he’d found something special. It opened as a Londis and then switched to a One Stop in a new site next door in February 2016, under the ownership of Mal, Aman and Joga after Bal sadly passed away.

Since taking over the store, Aman has played an active role in the wider convenience channel, sitting on the Independent Retailer Board at the ACS, speaking at various events, and being one of the leading retailers for every episode of the Better Retailing podcast.

The store, which has a string of accolades, including Independent Achievers Academy awards (now known as the Better Retailing Awards) for shop layout and digital engagement, will be taken over by Sai Ram, who has taken over another One Stop in mid-Wales this week. Mount Nod will remain with the One Stop franchise, but it will be refitted. “I’m looking forward to running the store and serving the local community in Mount Nod, and to continue the great work done by the Uppal family,” said Ram. The sale was completed by Manish Jadav at Trinity Retail Sales.

Aman said these are “massively testing times” for the convenience market, citing the rising costs in business rates and national living wage, as well as incoming legislation on single-use vapes, but said it hadn’t influenced their decision to sell. “As retailers, we can navigate these challenging times, but for us personally, now was the right time. It’s a positive thing and we’re looking forward to the future.”

The Uppals will be holding an event in the coffee shop next door this Sunday from 11am-1pm for their customers, to celebrate the past 32 years and introduce them to the store’s new owners.

Read more of our store profiles where we visit independent convenience retailers to showcase their fresh ideas and unique insights