The recently refurbished and relaunched Parfetts Wholesale depot at Aintree has formed the blueprint for the make-over of the company’s other five depots – Anfield, Stockport, Somercotes, Halifax and Sheffield.
Work has completed at the Anfield depot which is already showing sales growth in excess of 10%. All depots will soon be upgraded to a very high standard with the aim of improving the business for Parfetts, its customers and its suppliers.
Parfetts has been employee owned since 2008 and has been focussing on developing relationships with its key suppliers; the new look reflects the success of this initiative with supplier partnerships providing branded tower ends, vinyl drop banners, backlit drop banners, vinyl backboards and video screen walls. These supplier branding partnerships offer five different display packages across the Parfetts cash and carry estate which draws some 7000 customer visits per week generating a turnover in excess of £300m annually for the company.
Greg Suszczenia, Trading Director says ‘this project began with depot branding partnerships but the wider refurbishment success at Aintree has made us re-assess the whole group as it fits perfectly with our strategy for the branches to be seen as more than cash and carries but as Retail Hubs with a far greater range of services for the independent retailer’
The flagship Aintree depot is a modern, clean 105,000 sq. ft. cash and carry. It has a new exterior façade and roof and enhanced interior facilities include a modern reception area, meeting rooms and all the latest promotional display options and associated technology. To support its Go Local facia programme, a mock-up of a typical store exterior has been built showing retailers how professional their stores would look if they adopt the fascia. The drive to recruit more Go Local symbol retailers will continue across all six depots; two Business Development Executives will spearhead the initiative in each depot and will be on hand to explain the benefits to prospective Go Local retailers. Over 100 enquiries are currently being processed from retailers wishing to join the scheme.
Parfetts is also committed to growing its catering business further in 2014, expanding existing services such as click and collect and introducing a number of new services.
