this busy convience store is believed to be the first shop located in the marke town of biggleswade, bedfordshire. With such a long history and the busy location it occupies, the business has enjoyed excellent levels of trade over the years, and still has potential to expand. The business has been in the ownership of the vendors family for over 30 years. Throught-out it’s history, the business has always traded as a mini-market, with the operation including a post office until 2000. The present owner took over the business from his elder family, re-furbished the outlet, and re-opened under a new national convience store name in 2001. With the support of national tv advertising, and national and local press advertising, the business has gone from strength to strength over the past 8 years. There is currently 1 year left on a 3 year contract with the store franchise, allowing a new owner the flexibility of staying with the brand, or negiotiating a deal with a competitive brand. Over the years the business has streamlined the product range available to appeal to the local community. As such, the turnover of products on the shelf is very high, and the profits consistent. The vendor has also agreed very favourable terms with a dvd rental supplier, to offer cvery competitve rates to customers. With the newsagent business, off-license, dvd rental, and busy payzone machine for payments for utitlity bills, there is a constant stream of customers to the store. With all these reasons to visit the store, and the limited local competition, there is always an opportunity for customers to spend a little extra, and add to the bottom line. Equipment: the business currently operates to cash registers with full electronic point of sale. The business also has a payzone machine for receiving payments of utility and other personal bills. The store has recently submitted for a national lottery machine, which would drieve even more traffic to the business. Customer service: the level of customer service provided by the business is self evident in the amount of repeat customers returning to the shop on a daily basis. The customer always comes first, and staff offer a friendly local service that is reliable and attentive. The shop unit is spotlessly clean and hygenic, all of which combine to provide a good value shopping experience within a pleasant environment key strengths: the business is very well established with a history which cannot be beat in the town. The location is very busy, and with the proposed large residential developments, and routing of further traffic passed the store. The shop retains a high level of repeat business, particularly among a number of customers returning on a regular basis after having done so for many years. The product range has been developed over a long period to appeal directly to the local community, and the multiple reasons to visit the store are a great asset. Growth and expansion opportunities: the business is on a very stable footing, with consistent levels of trade. The growth forecasts look very favourable with the on-going development of the town, and population increases. The town has recently introduces a one-way system which forces more traffic in-front of the shop. With the addition of a national lottery machine, and marketing of high margin goods to the local community, the business could easily achieve higher profits and greater efficiencies for a new owner.
