Forecourt convenience can fuel huge opportunities in a busy retail space where food-to-go, petrol and everyday shopping missions all come together under one roof. Here’s how to get your green light for growth.
Shop & Go is a convenience store format from employee-owned Go Local Wholesale, the new name for Parfetts. The fascia model is purpose-built for high-traffic, transient locations such as forecourts, transport hubs or high streets.
The fascia gives independent retailers a range of products suited to people on the move, backed by competitive wholesale prices, regular promotions and support from an experienced retail team. Its grown to 32 stores across the UK, with a further 40 sites in development. The latest opening, in Corby, Northamptonshire, shows how the format can help forecourt operators improve shop sales and profitability. The Corby store, operated by Stuart Riding, has increased weekly sales by 10% to 15% since switching from Spar to Shop & Go. Sales now average £18,000 a week, with improved profit margins.
Shop & Go stores stock food-to-go, confectionery, snacks, chilled drinks and everyday essentials. Retailers can also offer beers, wines and spirits, along with specialist products such as car care. Each store’s range can be adapted to local demand. In Corby, for example, Scottish favourites are popular with customers, and Irn-Bru is the store’s bestselling product.
Choose products, manage shelf-space and boost availability
Retailers retain control of their businesses while receiving help with store layouts, merchandising, product selection and promotions. This allows operators to develop their shops around what local customers want rather than follow a fixed national range. There is no joining fee, and retailers can benefit from free delivery, free EPoS, consumer marketing and a 2% compliance reward, subject to the group’s terms.
Go Local Wholesale also provides access to more than 250 own-label products and a regular promotional programme to help stores compete on price. Its Go for Growth platform provides category advice, planograms and sales information to help retailers choose products, manage shelf space and improve availability.
The wholesaler’s expanding depot network is helping Shop & Go reach more retailers. Its Southampton depot now supplies forecourts across the South, including the Shop & Go store in Gosport, Hampshire. Go Local Wholesale is continuing to recruit independent forecourt operators who want to improve their convenience offer while keeping control of their businesses.
Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Go Local Wholesale, said: “Shop & Go is built for stores where speed and clarity matter. Retailers told us they needed a fascia that matched those conditions and the response has been very positive. Reaching 32 stores with 40 more committed shows the model has traction.”
Six key benefits of Shop & Go for independent retailers
- No joining fees: Keep control of your business with no upfront membership costs.
- Free delivery: Reliable stock deliveries from Go Local Wholesale’s growing national depot network.
- Better profit margins: Competitive wholesale prices, regular promotions, own-label products and a 2% compliance reward.
- A range built for forecourts: Food-to-go, chilled drinks, snacks and everyday essentials, with products chosen to suit local customers.
- Free retail support: Access to EPoS, marketing materials, merchandising advice and a dedicated retail development team.
- Digital tools to grow sales: Go for Growth provides sales insights, category advice and planograms to help improve stock availability and store performance.
Store spotlight: Shop & Go Corby, Northamptonshire
Stuart Riding (pictured right) has seen shop sales rise by 10% to 15% since switching his Corby forecourt from Spar to Shop & Go. The 1,750 sq ft store now takes an average of £18,000 a week, with improved profit margins. The eight-pump site has undergone a major refurbishment, including a new shop interior, jet wash, parcel lockers and a launderette.
Riding said: “The Shop & Go model just works for our demographic. Price-marked packs are delivering real value for our customers, volumes are up and the profit margins are looking very healthy.”
The store also stocks regional favourites, with Irn-Bru its bestselling product.
Shop & Go Gosport, Hampshire
Experienced retailer Muresh Seevaratnam has increased shop and fuel sales after converting his Gosport forecourt from Premier to Shop & Go. The £250,000 refurbishment included a move to Jet fuel and a new convenience offer. Hot food, wine and spirits have helped improve margins, while customers have responded well to the wider product range and competitive prices.
Seevaratnam, who operates six Go Local Wholesale-supplied stores, said: “The Shop & Go format is ideal for a petrol filling station where customers want speed, choice and value. We have a wide variety of products on offer and the response has been really encouraging.”
Go Local Wholesale at a glance
Details: Go Local Wholesale Limited, Head Office, Didsbury Road, Stockport, SK4 2JP t: 0161 429 0429 email: info@parfetts.co.uk web: https://www.parfetts.co.uk/
Type: Symbol
Membership costs: None
Delivery costs: None
Minimum contract: Five years
Minimum order levels: £1,500
Minimum order spend: Subject to turnover
Rebate: 2%
Online delivery partners: Snappy Shopper and Just Eat
Other benefits: Free marketing and digital support, store performance reviews and access to the best prices and promotions.
Services: National network of retail development advisers to help store owners maximise margin and growth.
Join Shop & Go and grow your forecourt business, visit: www.golocalwholesale.co.uk
