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Jack (left) and Amer: owners of 100th Keystore |
Key Lekkerland’s Scottish wholesaler JW Filshill officially opened its 100th KeyStore in Scotland to coincide with National Independents’ Day.
Proving that the independent sector has nothing to fear from the multiples, it has opened its doors to shoppers just a stone’s throw from a large format Sainsbury’s Local in Glasgow’s West End.
The 100th KeyStore is owned by two young Asian entrepreneurs – Jack Singh and Amer Younis. The duo acquired the store last October and started changing the product mix with JW Filshill’s help. This spring, they closed for three weeks while it was converted to the KeyStore fascia.
The store ‘soft launched’ six weeks ago to test out new products and promotions before the the official launch on June 1. It is trading 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Initial trading results show like-for-like sales up 40% in the first six weeks. Singh and Younis predict the store will reach a 60% like-for-like increase by the autumn.
JW Filshill sales director Ian McDonald said: “The small independent store is vital to the community and economy. Jack and Amer are proof that independents have nothing to fear from the big boys.
“Trading as an independent is tough, but can be highly rewarding when you know your local market and marry up the product mix, promotions and customer service as they have done. It is very fitting that they are our 100th KeyStore in Scotland and that we officially launched the store on National Independents’ Day.”
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