A.F. Blakemore celebrates success at 2024 SPAR Retail Show
A.F. Blakemore, one of the UK’s largest privately owned family businesses, retailer, and wholesaler for SPAR stores in Wales, Central, and South East England, held its annual 2024 SPAR Retail Show (SRS24) at Telford International Centre on Thursday, 13th June.
The event attracted over 1,300 guests for a conference, tradeshow, gala dinner, and awards evening.
This year’s event featured presentations from A.F. Blakemore’s leadership team, led by CEO Carol Welch and Retail Managing Director Matt Teague. They discussed how A.F. Blakemore’s partnership model supports independent SPAR retailers in developing their businesses profitably and sustainably.
Empowering Independent Retailers
Matt Teague, A.F. Blakemore Managing Director, Retail, said, “This event is a unique opportunity for us to bring all our SPAR company-owned and independent retailers, and prospective retailers together with our supplier network to share plans for the year ahead, highlight the added value support that is available from the A.F. Blakemore team and gain new perspectives that can help drive businesses forward in a competitive market. Our goal is to empower our independent retailers with the resources available to them and inspire them with sharing the best of SPAR within the UK and from across the world.”
Commitment to Growth and Adaptation
Teague emphasized the importance of enthusiasm and engagement from SPAR retailers and suppliers, noting, “The enthusiasm and engagement from our SPAR retailers and suppliers showed how committed everyone is to grow and adapt in today’s exciting convenience sector. These factors are a great opportunity for the SPAR brand as we continue to keep ahead of the game by constantly adapting and reviewing our offer. Our partnership model and family heritage is at the heart of thriving local neighbourhoods. This approach brings convenience businesses together and strengthens community bonds, ensuring everyone benefits from the shared success.”
Independent Retailer Success Stories
The conference included presentations from independent SPAR retailers, such as Satminder Deo, who secured a £100,000 investment fund to develop his three-store business, and Mandeep Khela of SPAR Sheffield. They highlighted the extensive support from A.F. Blakemore that is driving real differences in their businesses.
Innovative Solutions and Added Value
Brilliant Basics: SPAR retailers are benefiting from various solutions that reduce costs and increase sales. These include the new eLAB electronic learning capability for optimizing store teams, the Stock and Sell (SAS) initiative worth over £10,000, a digital communication package, energy-saving partnerships saving up to £700 per month on electricity bills, labor-saving efficiencies, and de-tasking of store operations.
Engaging Customer Experiences
Moments of Wow: Sharing best practices across the Blakemore Retail estate with independent SPAR retailers is crucial. Initiatives include customer segmentation insights, the expansion of the Philpotts coffee and food-to-go solution, new product development partnerships, sports sponsorship investments, the “Make me a Champion” customer campaign, the SPAR food truck tour, and instore SPARaoke, all designed to excite and entertain SPAR shoppers across England and Wales this summer.
Plans are already underway for next year’s SPAR Retail Show, which promises to build on the success of this year’s event with even more opportunities to drive real differences for SPAR retailers. For more information, visit www.afblakemore.com
