Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The online support now includes guides on home delivery, call & collect, and NHS ‘Thank Yous’. The guides are free to all independent retailers and can be download from Costcutter’s dedicated website.
Jamie Davison, Costcutter’s business development director, new business, said: “Our retailers continue to do an incredible job supporting their local communities through this period and we continue to focus on doing everything we can to help them with the resources and guidance they need. We also wanted to share that support with the wider retailer community, as they respond to the ongoing challenges.
“The Covid-19 crisis has transformed the value of the convenience sector and independent retailers are playing an essential role in providing lifeline support for their local communities. As the lockdown eases, we want to help our retailers convert new lifeline shoppers into lifelong shoppers.”
The website features a number of Costcutter retailer case studies, showcasing the work they have done to support their local communities. This includes Steve and Sonia Singh who have run the Kirkheaton, West Yorkshire, store for nearly 20 years. When the Covid-19 situation began they were quick to support local NHS workers by organising a community donation of essential toiletries for NHS key workers.
David Steele, store manager at Bampton, Devon Costcutter, said: “During the height of the lockdown, when people were avoiding larger stores and choosing to shop locally, we were very busy with business up around 60% compared to usual. We’re also making over 100 home deliveries a week, mainly to our elderly shoppers.”
Jason Burley, store manager at Stithians Costcutter, Cornwall, said: “We’re a convenience store with a farm shop twist, so people travel four or five miles to shop with us and as more people become aware of our strong offer, we’re attracting shoppers from further afield. That’s been accelerated during the lockdown as people started avoiding the larger supermarkets. We’re also making around 20 to 25 home deliveries, seven days a week.”
Davison added: “The surge in demand our retailers have experienced is reflected in the 22% increase in non-tobacco sales Costcutter has seen, across the first four months of this year. By accelerating plans to support our independent retailers through and beyond the crisis, we aim to help them convert shoppers who have used their stores as a lifeline, into lifelong loyal customers.”
