Go Local Wholesale is expanding its retail team from 55 to 75 as it steps up plans to grow its symbol group estate across the UK. The employee-owned wholesaler, formerly known as Parfetts, said the 36% increase will provide more support to its 2,000 existing stores while helping the business recruit around 500 new stores each year.
Growth strategy and targets
The expansion forms part of Go Local Wholesale’s wider national growth strategy. The business has set a target of 3,000 symbol stores in the next two years and aims to increase turnover from £807m to £1bn within three years.
The wholesaler announced its goals and strategy at its first supplier engagement conference in London. Its symbol estate includes Go Local Extra, Go Local, The Local, Local 4 U and forecourt-focused Shop & Go.
Support for retailers
The retail development advisors work directly with retailers to drive store performance, providing support across key areas including product ranging, promotional planning, merchandising and store development. Go Local Wholesale also offers its Go For Growth programme that uses sales data, category advice, planograms and supplier insight to identify opportunities to grow sales and margins.
Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Go Local Wholesale, said: “As we grow, it is important that we keep the close relationship we have with our retailers.
“Expanding the retail team means we can spend more time in stores, helping retailers to maximise the potential of their store space, product ranges and promotional activity.
“We are looking to bring around 500 new retailers into the group each year, but growth has to be backed by the right level of support. Our RDAs are a big part of that. They know the retailers and their local markets and can provide practical advice that makes a difference to growth and profitability.
Expansion beyond the north
Go Local Wholesale has expanded beyond its traditional northern heartland in recent years, including opening a 113,000 sq ft depot in Southampton as it develops its presence across southern England. The wholesaler now operates nine depots nationwide and has more than 2,000 symbol stores, with hundreds more in its development pipeline.
Go Local Wholesale, the UK’s only employee-owned cash and carry and delivered wholesaler, paid staff the maximum annual sales bonus of 10% following a record financial year. The bonus reflects the company’s ownership model, which allows employees to share in its success. Turnover rose 10.6% year on year, reaching £807m.
