Hull University’s SPAR store has benefited from a comprehensive £150,000 refit through the support of James Hall & Co. Ltd – and the impact is already reaping positive results.
Launching in time for the new academic year, the SPAR owned by the University Student Union has had a full internal refurbishment and new refrigeration installed which has transformed the shopping experience and the range of products available to students on campus.
There has been a significant extension to ambient, fresh food, and frozen ranges in-store, and mouth-watering Food To Go concepts Tango Ice Blast, F’Real Milkshakes and Smoothies, and Dunkin Donuts have also been introduced.
James Hall & Co. Ltd, SPAR UK’s primary wholesaler and distributor for the North of England, is also providing the SPAR store with its complete package of Food To Go products, further strengthening ties.
Snacking and ‘take home fresh’ categories are key focus in the SPAR store, alongside a re-energised range of beers, wines and spirits, and the six-figure investment into store improvements is already delivering on its performance at the till.
Sales are up by almost a third on its first full week of trading from the previous year and are 25% higher than anticipated sales.
The store development celebrations are the latest milestone in a continuous success story after SPAR, in association with James Hall & Co. Ltd, first began to service the store at Hull University in January 2016.
Dominic Hall, Deputy Managing Director of James Hall & Co. Ltd, joined the opening party and cut the ribbon alongside staff at the university campus store.
Andy King, Commercial Services Director at Hull University Students’ Union, said: “The improvements are nothing short of phenomenal. The store looks fantastic and we’re enjoying record sales, so it has been an amazing result.
“We’ve altered the store layout from having an entrance door and an exit door to have having a single point of entry which has worked well, and the Food To Go and bakery products now supplied by James Hall are a massive improvement.
“I think the new range of concepts we have introduced such as Tango Ice Blast, F’Real, and the Dunkin Donuts are also absolutely what students here at Hull University are looking for.
“Overall, with 2,500 students living on campus, the SPAR store is an excellent choice where you can pick up your essential convenience goods or do a full shop – it now has it all.”
Peter Dodding, Sales Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “Working closely alongside Andy and the team at Hull University Students’ Union to improve the SPAR has delivered an exceptional campus store.
“I’m delighted with the outcome, and it is the result of a carefully planned and well executed partnership development plan.
“Supporting the store with our full offer, including all Food To Go, is a fantastic boost for James Hall from a wholesale perspective too.
“It provides us with an opportunity to give greater presence to our associated brands Clayton Park Bakery and Fazila Foods, as well as our tasty range of sandwiches and wraps manufactured by the Great Northern Sandwich Company.”
You can find out more about James Hall & Co. Ltd at www.jameshall.co.uk.
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