There has been much talk about 2014 being a big year for Scotland, but with the economy still in recovery mode, will local retailers be investing in their stores this year, or even acquiring new ones?
Stephen Carr
Nisa Denny
We’re always looking at ways to improve so really we’re always investing. This year we’re looking at an extension to create a bigger stockroom. In other areas we’re thinking, but there’s nothing definite. We’re always aware we should be improving the business. I’d like to get LED lighting throughout the store this year and a new milk chiller so I can expand the bread fixture. There’s always something to keep the shop evolving. When it comes to other sites, I’ve always got an eye open to what’s available.
Iain Wilson
Nisa Perth Road, Dundee
Well the year has got off to a busy start with the opening of my second store. It’s in Broughty Ferry and we’ll be operating it as a Nisa store. It’s fallen into a bit of a state so shopfitters were in refitting it from late January, so a lot of investment has gone in there. At the Perth Road store we invested a lot last autumn in extending the fresh and chill offering so it’ll be interesting to start seeing the results of that. As for future expansion, there’s nothing planned at the moment but never say never.
Gordon Mair
Costcutter Aviemore
We’ve not got anything on the cards at the moment – we’ve thrown some ideas about but it’s purely just ideas for now. It’s more about consolidation; sales are still growing and we’re up around 15% on this time last year, and I think we’ve got a couple more years of that. From the start we’ve always said we’re not here long-term, so for now what we’d like to do is look to get the freehold and seeing what happens after that. We put so much time into the shop I can’t see how we could take another on.
Omar Nasir
Spar Leven Street
We’ve recently acquired two stores; one in Cumbernauld and another one in Motherwell. We’re still planning on what fascia to operate under but Spar and Day Today are strong contenders. I’m also looking to get a post office into Leven Street. We can reduce the tobacco display to make room. I’ve spoken to other retailers who have a post office – I think it brings huge footfall into the store and if customers spend even one or two pounds it makes a difference.
