Bargain Booze wins industry award

The Ulverston store won the ‘Best Convenience Store’ award at the Off Licence News Awards. This is the second year running that a Bargain Booze Select Convenience has won the title (last year it was won by the Oswaldtwistle store).

Bargain Booze first launched its 'Select Convenience' concept 18 months ago.

Now with 50 stores in the 600-strong franchise estate trading under 'Bargain Booze Select Convenience' fascia, the company has proven the success of its strategy to diversify the core off-licence retail package into a c-store focused offering which is powered by the already well-established licensed package.

Since its launch 'Select Convenience' has been recognised by the industry with the same award being won two years running.

In February 2008 one of the first 'Bargain Booze Select Convenience' store to open won the coveted title of 'Best Convenience Store' at the William Reed Off Licence News Awards.

That store, in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, converted from a stand-alone Bargain Booze off-licence and immediately saw good growth in its sales of around 18%.

This year not one but two of the three finalists for this same award were 'Bargain Booze Select Convenience' outlets.

One of these two outlets, in Ulverston, Cumbria was successful in being awarded the title for 2009.

Franchise owner Haydn Hicks said, "I am absolutely delighted. I cannot believe that I have won this award".

On average independent or symbol group retailers converting to the 'Select Convenience' fascia see a 40% increase in turnover, in the main due to the USP provided by the well-recognised Bargain Booze alcohol promotion which simply cannot be equalled by retailers trading as an independent c-store or a symbol group such as Spar, Londis or Costcutter."