Conviviality snaps up stores in South East

Conviviality Retail is set to boost its  presence in the South East after acquiring 15 new stores.

The retailer, part of the wider Conviviality Group, has bought the fifteen stores from KMD Enterprises Ltd for an undisclosed sum and intends to convert them to its Bargain Booze Select Convenience fascia, it confirmed.

The acquisition is in line with its stated plans to boost the number of quality stores across the UK, particularly in the South East, which it said had “a number of attractive catchments that are currently under-represented by its brands”.

David Robinson, MD of Conviviality Retail said the acquisition strengthened the convenience store business and demonstrated the company’s ambitious growth plans in this area.

“These new stores are located in the South East of England and this is an important geographic expansion for Conviviality Retail as our brands are currently underrepresented in this region. We will continue to grow our store estate, partnering with both new and existing franchisees to help them grow their store portfolios with quality, well located retail outlets.”

The retailer currently operates around 716 stores across its estate, including 370 Bargain Booze franchisees, 38 Bargain Booze Select Convenience and 29 Wine Rack stores.

According to accounts filed at Companies House, KMD Enterprises recorded a turnover of £9.17 million in the year to 30 November 2015, down from  £9.46 million the previous year, with profits also falling nearly £200k in the last year. The Middlesex headquartered retailer, who has shops in Brighton, Chichester and was also known to have bought two stores from convenience chain, My Local which went into administration earlier this year.

Growth in the South East has largely been made possible by the Group’s acquisition last year of Matthew Clark and its wide distribution network which brought 18 depots to the group, including those in Dartford, Park Royal and Southampton.