Independent Convenience Store of the Year 2026: Londis Bexley Park, Kent

The team at Londis Bexley has worked hard to make the store a destination by blending modern aesthetics with innovative technology. According to owner Nishi Patel, customers can enjoy a fun, vibrant atmosphere while shopping, which is a key differentiator from more traditional stores in the area. “This creates an immersive experience that’s not just about purchasing products but about enjoying a space that feels fresh and current.”

Over the past few years, the team has developed strong relationships with leading brands, allowing them to exclusively launch new products in the store. One of the most successful activations was the exclusive launch of the viral Oud and Bloom fragrances. Londis Bexley Park were the first retail store to bring these highly anticipated products to market, creating a significant buzz and attracting customers from all over. According to Nishi, the success of this launch was overwhelming, and they’ve now installed a permanent fragrance fixture in-store, featuring fragrances priced between £20 and £65. This new section has been extremely well received, providing our customers with a high-quality, exclusive product range while continuing to drive foot traffic and sales.

With the integration of Snappy Shopper, they’ve tapped into the local delivery market and gained 50 new customers within the first month. The app now serves as a direct bridge between the store and customers who prefer online ordering, while also fostering greater loyalty through exclusive online deals and promotions.

The team’s strategy of staying ahead of trends has allowed them to dominate key categories. From the Dubai chocolate bar to limited-edition items like the CHOCOBOo chocolate, their ability to introduce viral products has positioned them as a trendsetter.

In response to ongoing supply chain challenges, the team has gone above and beyond to ensure customers have access to a wide variety of products. They’ve expanded their network by partnering with over 50 new suppliers, in addition to receiving six deliveries per week from Londis. This consistent influx of fresh products has enabled them to keep their store fully stocked and cater to a wider range of customer needs.

The disposable vape ban earlier this year did initially impact sales, causing a noticeable decrease. However, by actively engaging with customers and educating them about the new vape systems and options, they were able to regain and even surpass previous sales. Within a few weeks, sales had recovered to £12k per week.

In response to the ban, they made a strategic decision to expand our range of nicotine pouches. They introduced a wider variety of flavours, strengths, and brands to cater to the growing demand for alternative options. To further drive sales, they partnered with suppliers to bring in dedicated product stands for better in-store visibility and promotion. This allowed us to advertise the products effectively, giving customers more access to these popular items. The combination of product expansion, better customer education, and increased in-store visibility led to a boost in sales and further solidified our position as the go-to retailer for vape and nicotine-related products in the local market.

For the first time, the store has participated in the local school’s end-of-year event, offering free drinks and sweets to kids and parents. They had a 20-year anniversary and invited local customers to come and celebrate, offering over 500 bags of goodies made up to give to every child that turned up on the day. They are now looking at doing more community days like this every few years, in planning for next year and to see how they can make it a bigger event.

They’ve made significant improvements to store appearance, ensuring that it not only looks modern and appealing but also remains clean and inviting. The integration of new neon signage, custom branding, and a fresh layout makes the store visually attractive, inviting customers to stay longer and engage more.