Industry veteran Mike Fitton is retiring after almost five decades working in retail. For 27 of those years, Fitton has become a familiar face to independent retailers and a trusted figure across the convenience sector.
He is to step down in January 2026, bringing to close a 14-year stint as head of franchise for Southern Co-op’s Welcome operation.
How have you seen the industry evolve during the last 48 years?
It’s evolved massively, in both good and not so good ways. In the old days, everything had to be priced by hand. The majority of stock was delivered directly, so Monday to Wednesdays were full of lorries and reps queuing outside.
Orders and sales figures were all written on cards and handed to suppliers, now its all electronic. Every time prices changed, you had to peel off the old labels, that’s why i’ve got such strong nails. Every single item had to be scraped clean before the new price went on.
Technology has advanced hugely since then, but staffing levels have dropped a lot as a result. Nobody thinks about the amount of newspapers and magazines we used to sell. And we used to sell so much more at Christmas and Easter. There’s also been a big rise in fresh and ready meals. After nearly half a century, there’s been so much change.
What makes convenience unique compared to other parts of retail?
The very nature of it being called “convenience” - which didn’t even exist when I started - is that it’s part of the community.
The convenience sector moves quickly. Recent innovations, such as food to go and vapes, have appeared in convenience stores much faster than in big retailers. The innovation side of things can happen very quickly, and the manoeuvrability is much greater than with the big chains that go through long decision-making processes.
Convenience stores have a sense of independence; they can spot an opportunity, make a decision, and get a product in store very quickly.
What’s it been like working with independent retailers for the last 27 years?
It’s been the best of my career. Retailers just have passion. They’re entrepreneurial, beaming with news ideas that they’re happy to share.
When you talk to independent retailers, you discover ideas you’d never have thought of on your own. It’s a great sector with some really good characters.
How can independent retailers thrive in today’s competitive market?
Get out, there are plenty of retailers to talk to. Find out what mistakes they’ve made and see what they’re doing in their stores.
The number of retailers I’ve spoken to in the past who refuse to visit a nearby competitor store, well, that’s the first thing you should do. Go and look at those competitors and see what they’re doing that you can try yourself.
Absolutely, go and talk to other retailers. Sign up to trade bodies and read the trade press. Just learn, read, and network because you’ll get much further than by trying to do it all on your own.
What are your plans for life after work?
A lot of people who know me also know that my wife and I foster children. Having worked all my life, my career has sometimes taken over my personal life, so I’m really looking forward to retiring and helping out more at home.
When I retire on the Friday night, I’ll be on the school run by Monday morning. I’ll be doing all the usual things like homework, football and taxi runs, as well as plenty more memories to make.
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