Fast Forward to Forecourt Success with Shelving Solutions

The forecourt market is changing … and it’s customers who are in the driving seat. And by customers, we’re not only talking about motorists. While HiM’s Forecourt Tracking Survey (2015) found that the majority of regular forecourt users were middle-aged, car driving ABC 1 males juggling work with family responsibilities, the same survey found 13% of forecourt shoppers don’t own a car.

The most successful forecourt stores such as the network operated by the Co-Operative Stores, already offer far more than a pit-stop in which drivers can pick up snacks and plastic-wrapped flowers as they pay for petrol! They appeal to an increasingly wide customer demographic – local residents and motorists – because they provide easy, all-hours access to the kind of high-quality shopping and service choices found in the best c-stores as well as fuel and motoring accessories.

Revitalising the Co-Operative, Romsey

Shelving Solutions worked with the Co-Operative Stores on a total refurbishment of its 4,000 sq. ft. forecourt store located just off the A31 in Romsey, Hampshire.

The updated Romsey forecourt combines a premium shopping offering, including an in-store bakery, fresh produce section and off license, with wide selection of premium brand take-away hot food and a Starbucks machine.

For the bakery Shelving Solutions designed, built and installed purpose-built, self-service shelving. This modular shelving allows the Co-Op to display bread, morning goods and a selection of cakes to attract impulse buyers!

More Choice, Bigger Basket

Providing customers with a wide selection of well-presented fresh foods is the key to bigger baskets and more frequent return visits.

The Food Factor

Research by HiM1 confirms that food is the primary shopping mission for over half (58%) of forecourt users. For up to a third of customers, that means good quality hot food they can eat on the go. For One Stop Stores Shelving Solutions created a robust, modular I-Wave Hot Food counter which houses everything One Stop Stores needs to store and sell a wide range of food and drink to go, a microwave equipped with a ‘probe’ that can detect when food is completely cooked, plus waste bin and storage for accessories.

Customers can choose from a range of pre-cooked snacks or ready-to-heat snacks and pick up a cold drink or a freshly brewed cup of market-leading Costa Coffee. The self-service Costa Coffee Express machine is conveniently located alongside the modular hot food service counter.

Café Culture

Cafés are set to be the next big thing in forecourt service provision. An in-store café is the ideal way to differentiate your forecourt and increase footfall and spend.

You don’t even need a huge amount of space, as Shelving Solutions proved when we created and installed a café at a One Stop Store.

Refit, Refurbish, Rebrand – Shelving Solutions is here to help

Whether you already have a presence or you are planning to expand and diversify into forecourts, Shelving Solutions can help you create convenience stores that respond to customer demand for a wide range of high quality shopping options.

Unlike our competitors, Shelving Solutions has all the in-house expertise needed to offer clients a comprehensive end-to-end service – from consultancy, advice and practical support you need right from the concept stage through R&D, sampling and testing, to design, the all-important logistics, build and installation.

If we don’t have exactly what you need, our Joinery Service can design and build a bespoke unit to your specifications that will be delivered within 6 weeks and won’t cost the earth.

Expansion Through Innovation

Shelving Solutions has supported clients like One Stop Stores on successful strategic network expansion initiatives. We’ve created entirely new modular stores, such as the ”Innovation“ store which incorporates a modular design and construction that can be adapted, installed and ready to sell – quickly and cost-effectively.

Because it is inherently flexible, the Innovation store can be customised to provide a local community hub where local residents can enjoy a premium quality shopping experience and access services relevant to the needs of local residents.

Speed to Market

Speed is an essential factor in bringing any new convenience store to market. Shelving Solutions specialises in piloting complex, multi-site projects to conclusion within the tightest of deadlines. For example, we recently helped One Stop Stores create – i.e. design, test and build and install – 15 new “mission” stores in the Midlands and North of England. The stores were open and ready to sell within 12 weeks.

Talk to us about your next project.  Call now on 02380 620555