Premier is embracing sustainability and technology for its stores as it passes the 4,000-site milestone.
In a bid to improve its environmental credentials, Premier is introducing QR codes as an alternative to promotional leaflets for customers. While traditional paper leaflets will still be available to retailers that want them, the QR code technology will save one tree per year per store if they don’t carry leaflets.
Debuted in Premier Talbot Village, based on Bournemouth University’s campus, the technology is being made available to all Premier retailers.
Booker sales director Martyn Parkinson said this store was chosen to debut the technology as it suits a younger demographic.
The store is also the first Premier to have electronic shelf-edge labels as part of a trial of the technology. According to Parkinson, the introduction of the technology has saved 14 man-hours per week at the store and are able to flag up promotions to customers.
The store, owned by Arun Ehamparam and Tharsini Karunanithy, recently had a £170,000 refit which included the introduction of a new bakery offering, enhanced Refresh zone and a beer cave. The new additions were made to cater to the student customer base ahead of the new term. The store also now has more technology payment methods to suit the demographic.
As part of its sustainability measures, the store installed solar panels, which will save up to £500 per month on energy costs, and a beer cave, which Parkinson explained is 30% more efficient that regular chillers for cooling alcohol and due to the increased sales is expected to have a three-month payback on the investment in the category.
The store has also introduced a refill station which offers 40% margins for the retailer. Customers can bring their own containers or use a paper bag provided by store to buy as much or as little produce as they need to save on wastage.
The fresh and chilled section of the store has seen a massive extension, increasing from four metres to 14 metres in the refit, resulting in sales of £4,000 per week. The new chillers installed are also 35% more efficient than the previous ones while 85% of the chilled range in the store is classed as ’long-life’ to reduce wastage as much as possible.
Parkinson said this push on sustainability comes after listening to its shoppers. ”There’s a real customer focus on sustainability and they expect it in stores,” he said. ”It’s a step-change for Premier but the feedback from the customers is clear and we need to embrace that.”
As well as the sustainability technology, the store has introduced a self-scan till for shoppers in a hurry. The system is hybrid so it can be quickly turned into an operated till if necessary. Parkinson said that the technology has been well-received already with 28% of transactions going through the self-scan till.
The site also has wider aisles to improve the shopping experience and has increased its frozen section from four meteres to ten metres.
While the students haven’t hit the campus yet, the store’s turnover has increased from £17,500 per week to £30,000 with the average margin increasing from 22% to 28%. The return of students is expected to bolster sales at the store and Parkinson believes that the introductions added will result in a four to five-month payback for the overall £170,000 investment.
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