Retailer reports soaring sales after Simply Fresh switch

Simply Fresh Bitterne Park, Southampton, saw a 29% year-on-year increase in sales in the first week, and the weekend before Valentines saw an increase of as much as 70%, with a “much-increased participation” in fresh and chilled lines.

In addition, the store has received “rave reviews” from customers, Bassett said. “Customers have told me they love the look and feel and even though I’d always admired Simply Fresh stores from afar, seeing your own store undergo this kind of transformation has been truly invigorating.”

Bassett added: “My regulars are buying items they never thought would be available in their local store and my objective of changing the customer mission is already taking shape. A much improved, enticing store has certainly attracted new customers and the partnership with Simply Fresh and Sainsbury’s is already retaining them. My customers have told me I made the right decision and the tills back that up.”

Tim Chalk, chief executive of Simply Fresh and SimplyLocal, said: “At SimplyFresh Bitterne Park, customers now have a transformed local store that delivers them a better range, better value and a better shopping experience. Steve and his excellent team were fully involved every step of the way and we are all very proud to bring this store, in close partnership with Sainsbury’s, to this community.

“The feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. You can see the confidence they have in the Sainsbury’s brand and fresh products, and this, in turn, is encouraging bigger basket spend. It’s a strong platform for future growth.”