Major forecourt retailers join Londis

The Musgrave Group, partner to entrepreneurial food retailers in UK, Ireland and Spain, announced today that growing numbers of major forecourt retailers are joining its Londis brand in Britain, which continues to strengthen its offer to its retail partners and the communities they serve. 

Key multiple account operators that have partnered with Londis so far in 2009 include:

• Penny Petroleum & Top Spot Services Group - nine forecourts in NE England
• Simon Smith Group - four forecourt sites in SW England
• Symonds Group - four forecourt sites in SW England

Penny Petroleum & Top Spot Services Group started trading under the Londis fascia in March 2009 and now has nine stores, including two newly acquired sites at Morpeth in Northumberland and Leeming Bar Services in North Yorkshire.  

Simon Smith Group now has four Londis forecourt stores in SW England.  Susie Hawkins, partner in the 33 year-old group, says: “Londis brings a wealth of store development expertise that complements our business and the competitive pricing helps us to drive our business forward in these challenging times.”

Family-owned business Brobot Petroleum, the forecourt retailer with 21 sites in Nottinghamshire, confirmed Londis as its long term retail partner earlier this year.

Also, Petrogas, which currently trades with seven sites in the Londis family, has confirmed five additional sites that will also trade as Londis.

Says Michael O’Loughlin, managing director of Petrogas Group UK: “I have many reasons for partnering with Musgrave and the Londis brand, but the main benefits for a young growing network like mine is their flexibility in dealing with short notice deadlines, the quality and variety of their promotions cycle and also the ability to contact their people whenever I need to”.

“We are delighted that these major operators have chosen to partner with Londis," says Phil Smith, managing director Londis  "These are challenging economic times and we will continue to strengthen our offer to Londis retailers, expanding our own brand lines and delivering outstanding offers and quality to Londis customers.”

The essence of the Londis is 'all you need for every day living'. All 1,861 Londis stores are owned by entrepreneurial food retailers. In 2008 Londis retailers achieved combined sales of £1.3 billion, up 0.7 per cent. Musgrave retail partners operating the nine retail brands we support across Republic of Ireland, UK and Spain delivered combined turnover of €7.1 billion, up 6 per cent on the previous year.