High profile Welsh retailer Conrad Davies has launched the first flagship Spar Market store in Gwynedd, Wales.

Conrad has relaunched his existing Spar store in in Y Maes, Pwllheli, under the new Spar Market fascia. Spar is planning to roll out the new format to other stores over the next few months.

The store, which received a complete floor-to-ceiling refit, features freshly-baked bread made from local dough, freshly-prepared pizza, a cereal dispenser, lobster tank, orange juicing machine, meat-ageing cabinet, self-serve hot and cold food to go, and ready meals and smoothies prepared on-site.

Coloured LED shelves have been used to showcase premium spirits and a lockable cabinet displays premium wines.

The store also stands out from the competition with Conrad’s own Davies Produce brand. Davies Produce brings together products from more than 70 local suppliers, to showcase the best produce from across Wales.

Conrad worked with Blakemore Trade Partners on the store’s development and Blakemore Design & Shopfitting helped plan and co-ordinate the refit, with extensive merchandising and marketing being used to promote the store’s launch.

Blakemore Trade Partners’ head of formats, John Murray, said: “Conrad’s Pwllheli store was an ideal candidate for the first Spar Market format.

“Before the refit, the shop already performed like a supermarket and thrived in the face of intense competition, achieving fame for its great fresh food offering and unswerving support for local Welsh food producers.”

He added: “We have been working with Spar UK and our independent retailers to create a range of mission-focused store formats that have the flexibility to meet the individual needs of retailers and the local demands of their customers.”

The new Spar Market format has been designed for stores with shop floor space of more than 3,000sq ft. and targets customers with higher basket spends. Market stores will also offer more fresh foods and a greater range of products.

The response to Conrad’s new Pwllheli’s store has been positive. Sales were up by nearly 10% in the opening week and margin has grown by 2%.

Conrad also operates two Eurospar stores in Dolgellau and Blaenau Ffestiniog, a forecourt in Pwllheli and a Subway above the new Y Maes store.