Identifying a great opportunity in Hemel Hempstead.
Experienced retailer Dharm Patel has converted a former symbol group site in Hemel Hempstead and transformed it into a thriving One Stop store.
The decision to partner with the Tesco owned franchisor has been hugely successful with sales and profitability going from strength to strength since the store opened. Now firmly established in the community, Dharm’s store attracts more and more local customers everyday with its wide range of good value grocery essentials.
He attributes the sales growth to One Stop’s consistent marketing leading promotions and friendly customer service from his team both of which help drive repeat visits to his store.
When asked about why he joined One Stop, Dharm explains: “As a Retail Franchise, One Stop understands the opportunities and challenges we face in convenience retailing. They’re always looking at ways to make managing my business easier, including automatic stock replenishment and free flexible deliveries which gives me more time to focus on other areas of the shop”
Dharm goes on to say: “The support from my BDM (Business Development Manager) and the wider team is invaluable. One Stop genuinely work in partnership with you and want to see your business do well. They stay ahead of industry changes, and regularly introduce new ways to improve the offer for our customers. These innovations are tested in their company stores before they’re made available to us, so I have peace of mind that I’ll see a positive impact on my business”
Dharm Patel in his Hemel Hempstead store.
Online Delivery & Community Involvement
Incremental online delivery sales leading the way against competitors.
With online delivery being a huge opportunity for growth, Dharm has embraced the introduction of this service. Due to high customer demand, he has already gone from an additional £200 a week in sales to over £5,000 a week. He comments “Although we have some nearby competitors our online delivery apps are doing exceptionally well. We accept online orders from 7am – 9.30pm and we are constantly busy preparing orders. Margins are lower however we’re focused on the long-term growth potential of online as an additional income alongside our other revenue streams in the store”
Dharm’s commitment to the community goes beyond managing his store. He actively supports local schools through charity raffles, fundraises for Dens Homeless Shelter and Hemel Community Fridge and sponsors local football teams. His store also serves as a food bank collection point. Speaking about this community involvement Dharm comments: “Giving back to the local community and making a difference to people’s lives is something I find very rewarding”
John Miller, Head of Franchise at One Stop comments: “Dharm and his team should be very proud of their achievements so far. His journey with One Stop demonstrates that with the right support, commitment and community focus, new stores can quickly see strong sales performance.”
With continued growth in the industry, brand new stores are a large percentage of our new store openings. They allow franchisees to set stores out exactly how they want to service the specific needs of their local community. When you get these requirements right for the customer demographic in the store, you have a winning recipe for success.”
To learn more about how One Stop Franchise can help you run a successful convenience store, get in touch by clicking here.
