Former Simply Fresh retailer Simon Biddle is among a number of new recruits to Spar, following the symbol group’s renewed focus on enlisting convenience store and forecourt retailers.

The group’s UK sales teams have bolstered their recruitment efforts over the past three months and have encouraged retailers including former Costcutter store owners Deep Patel and Baz Jethwa, and former Premier retailer Ian McCabe, to switch.

Worcestershire retailer and former Convenience Retail Awards category winner Simon Biddle has also made the move to Spar. His Redditch store has recieved a major refurbishment and should be fully transformed next month.

Spar UK retail director Ian Taylor, said: “We are really excited to welcome a new wave of convenience retailers to Spar.

“We have a lot to offer as we continue to provide the best service to all our independent retailers while at the same time enabling them to retain their independence. In joining Spar, retailers have access to a phenomenal range of top-quality benefits and services, including co-investment, excellent availability, business advice and support-dedicated BDMs tasked to grow sales, margin and profit, individual store design, marketing investment, foodservice innovation and an enviable own label range.”

Spar’s store numbers are up by 5% this year, with the brand now operational in over 1,200 forecourts (September 30, 2017). 

Taylor added: “We have grown stronger and stronger as we have been committed to focusing and understanding the absolute needs of independent retailers who are determined to outperform the competition.”