The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response This website requires you to be 18+ years of age or older Please verify your age to view the content Budding retailer Jack Matthews speaks to Retail Express about how his family's store has stayed popular in the midst of growing competition Bradley’s Supermarkets was the only shop in the village That all changed when the Co-op opened its first premium convenience store 500 metres away Waitrose opened an 8,500sq ft store – the largest Little Waitrose in the country – a mile away these new-found rivals haven’t phased Jack then people go back to old habits,” he says Jack believes that his store’s reputation contributes to its success in the face of the competition “Not just because it’s been here for so long but because we’re heavily involved in the community.” Style: A family-run convenience store in a village parade and there are five Co-ops in a five-mile radius Bradley’s Supermarkets sponsors the local cricket and football clubs The store also donates stock to community events such as the annual Santa’s Grotto and a charity bike ride “We’re also looking at doing a summer food fair with local suppliers,” Jack says “You have to give a little to get something back.” are striving to combine innovation with tradition The store began as a greengrocer and has expanded several times since then but they still get a fruit and veg delivery from Leicester market six days a week Jack says he’d like to expand the two-shop business but is cautious of having quantity over quality “I’m more of a believer in having three strong shops than 27 average ones,” he says “It can be a challenge to pay attention locally and having multiple stores would add to the difficulties of getting to know your community I think that having one good shop makes retailers successful in their personal careers.” A key lesson Jack has learnt is the importance of identity which ties into his mantra of growing stores alongside their community While Bradley’s Supermarkets has always done this by providing shoppers with locally-sourced produce including introducing artisan ice cream and a new brand of pet food – a contact Jack made while doing work experience at Dorset retailer Dike & Son changing from a simple deli counter to selling hot pastries A slush machine was also installed in time for summer don’t try to beat them at their own game – especially when that competition is a huge multiple This article doesn't have any comments yet Join today to get exclusive content and subscribe to the online and print versions of Retail News © Better Retailing is part of Newtrade Media Limited These essential cookies do things like remember your progress through a form and keep you logged in Our website uses one or more analytical statistical data collection programs to assemble records about who uses the site and many other items of statistical importance that allow us to improve our effectiveness in the supply of web experiences The nature of the data collected does not give us information about who you are (by name or address) but it can give us IP address identity Information is collated into a series of reports and is studied on a regular basis The stats that these cookies generate are anonymous and cover things such as; Some pages may contain content from other sites These sites are sometimes called ‘third party’ services This tells us how many people are seeing the content and whether it’s useful.