From Police Officer to Community Retailer
Priyesh Vekaria’s journey to owning a store at the heart of the Salford community.
Priyesh Vekaria, owner of One Stop Carlton Convenience in Manchester is successfully blending a family legacy with his forward-thinking outlook to business. A second-generation retailer, Priyesh joined One Stop in 2023.
Commenting on his decision to change career, Priyesh says: “I came into retail through a less than conventional route – 10 years in the police force and a degree in law, which has allowed me to bring a different mix of skills into my business. I felt drawn to convenience retailing as my parents were successful store owners for over 30 years. It has taken me to the heart of the community where I can make positive change”.
Priyesh continues: “I’m passionate about community work and my new entrepreneurial path has given me more flexibility to make a real difference to people’s lives and support multiple local charities and initiatives”.
His community work covers a wide range of support. Some of the larger initiatives include community outreach for the homeless, sponsoring football kits, and funding the installation of a defibrillator with a major bleed trauma kit. Priyesh comments: “I set about looking at how we could bring a defibrillator to the area. With my police background, I believe that if it were ever used, it could save somebody’s life. Having this within our community gives us all such peace of mind and I’m immensely proud we’ve been able to provide it”.
Commenting on why he chose One Stop, Priyesh says: “I was with other symbol groups previously, however as my goals and ambitions increased, I was looking for a retail partner who aligned with these. It’s been the right decision as my business has gone from strength to strength. My store has benefitted from new innovations that are tested by One Stop, and I can see the positive impact. I think that’s the beauty of the model, it’s all carefully thought through so there’s longevity in their proposition.”
Priyesh Vekaria outside his Salford store, One Stop Carlton Convenience.
Meeting Online Delivery Demand
Priyesh Vekaria’s great success in the online delivery space.
Adapting to the changes in the way customers shop, Priyesh Vekaria has introduced online delivery with remarkable success, operating a secure night hatch enabling customers to order 24/7.
“We already taking £5,000 a week in online sales and we’re in our growth phase.” Priyesh reveals. This service not only meets customers’ needs but we get higher basket spend due to market leading promotions. This is an attractive additional income stream with huge growth potential, so we’re delighted that One Stop have such a dedicated focus on evolving online”.
John Miller, Head of Franchise at One Stop comments: “We’re delighted with the success Priyesh has experienced since joining us and look forward to seeing his business continue to grow.
There’s a rise in new franchisees who want to invest in convenience retailing and can see the value of our proposition. However, the success of One Stop is down to the relationships that each individual store has with its community. Our responsible approach of working with the ‘right store, right retailer’ has always worked well for us as a business and our partnership with Priyesh and his team is a great example of this.”
For franchisees looking to expand their reach, capitalise on the growing trend of online shopping, and achieve a great turnover boost, One Stop offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow their business and navigate the digital marketplace with confidence. To learn more, click here.
