 |
| Convenience stores have a 20% share of the
total UK grocery market, accounting for £23 billion in 2003.
More... |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
What is a symbol group retailer?
A symbol group retailer is an independent retailer that is effectively a member of a larger organisation known as a “symbol group operator” (such as SPAR).
The retailer displays a branded fascia in order to have a common trading identity which shoppers recognise. In addition they gain a number of other benefits associated with belonging to a larger organisation, improved buying terms, branding, the option to sell own label products, and new shop technology (such as checkout scanning)
IGD’s definition of “Symbol Groups” also incorporates “Franchise” and “Fascia Groups”, related but distinct concepts.
What benefits do symbol group organisations offer to retailers?
- Advice/expertise on trading, technology and equipment
- Trading benefits - including promotional programmes
- Marketing support
- Shop fitting services providing improved store environments
- Ongoing support services delivery
How many symbol group retailers are there and who are they?
There are 14,340 symbol group retailers in the UK. The following is a list of the main retailers that fall within this total:
| Retailer |
Number of Stores |
| Best In / Best One (Bestway) |
1,800 |
| Budgens / Budgens Local (Musgrave) |
120 |
| Centra (Musgrave Group NI) |
81 |
| Costcutter |
1,500 |
| Key Store / Shop (Key Lekkerland) |
310 |
| Lifestyle / Scandia (Landmark) |
1,500 |
| Londis (Musgrave Group) |
1917 |
| Marks & Spencer (Simply Food franchise) |
54 |
Nisa Today's
- Nisa
- Day Today (Nisa Today's)
- Today's (Nisa Today's) |
412
790
73 |
P & H Retail
- Mace
- Mace Express
- Supershop
- Your Store |
188
254
174
74 |
| Premier (Booker) |
2,106 |
| Spar UK |
2,579 |
| Thoroughgoods - franchise (Bargain Booze, BWG) |
83 |
| VG / Vivo (Northern Ireland) |
85 |
How much is the symbol group market worth?
- The symbol group market is worth £9.7bn.
- Symbol groups have a 35.3% share of the UK convenience market.
- Symbol groups have a 7.2% share of the total UK grocery market.
How is the symbol group market performing?
The symbol group market is performing well as a result of two factors:
1. Increased number of symbol stores
As competition increases in the convenience market, and it continues to grow, convenience store standards and offers are improving.
As a result of this, independent retailers are looking for more support from symbol organisations to help them compete effectively. Membership to some form of symbol group is therefore increasing.
Since more stores are now in this segment, total market value is therefore increasing
2. Improved sales within exiting stores
Symbol group stores are performing better as existing stores improve their performance. Symbol group operators are driving this growth though:
- Improved store formats and designs
- Offering more guidance on product ranges
- Improved promotions
- Increased communication with retailers
|
|
|
|
