First Go Local Extra store launches in Milton Keynes as Parfetts continues with southern expansion.
Independent retailer Jay Karavadra has unveiled the transformed Melrose News Go Local Extra in Milton Keynes, marking another milestone in Parfetts’ nationwide growth of its Go Local symbol group.
After 18 years running the busy neighbourhood store, Jay and his family have invested in a top-to-bottom refit that has increased the shop floor by more than 38 per cent. The 1700 sq ft store previously operated as a community convenience store as part of the Best One group.
The conversion project includes a brand new shopfront, a fully licensed area with chilled displays, upgraded electrics and plumbing, plus the latest refrigeration and self-service tills. Jay completed all the building and construction work himself.
Since the makeover and new fascia were completed, weekly sales have surged by 50 per cent, with the Karavadra family targeting a further rise of up to 75 per cent in the months ahead.
Jay said the transformation is already making a big impact on customers and sales: “The appealing new shop front and signage make a massive difference, and the feedback from everyone has been overwhelming, especially compared with what it had looked like originally. Expanding our range and supporting the Go Local promotions will allow us to better compete with larger stores, and the addition of the off-licence will help boost profits. The support from Parfetts has been brilliant, from merchandising to launch planning and ongoing advice, but importantly, the team has let me run the store in my own way.
“This store is also now the busiest Post Office in the constituency, with over 1,500 customers using it weekly. We’re proud to be the busiest local Post Office service in the area, and our vastly improved store layout and more space is encouraging shoppers to browse and spend more with us, even when they’re just coming to use the Post Office.”
The launch event drew strong support from the local community, with Callum Anderson MP cutting the ribbon to officially open the store. Supplier partners, including SHS and Red Bull, also lent their backing, with Red Bull running live activations on the day.
Parfetts, the employee-owned wholesaler behind the fast-growing Go Local brand, continues to see strong demand from independent retailers keen to combine local control with competitive pricing, a robust supply chain and in-depth retail support.
Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, said: “Jay and his family have done a fantastic job creating a modern, welcoming store that meets the needs of today’s shoppers. Their investment shows the strength of the Go Local offer and how it helps retailers grow sales while staying rooted in their communities. Milton Keynes is an exciting market for us, and this opening highlights how our symbol group can thrive across the south of England.”
The Melrose News refit is the latest step in Parfetts’ wider expansion, which is recruiting independent retailers across the UK into the Go Local and Go Local Extra fascia.
Comments are closed.