Throughout recent years, as more out of town superstores have developed and high streets been abandoned by many of the major multiples, Budgens stores have continued to serve the local community, offering consumers the opportunity to purchase excellent quality fresh foods and groceries within the convenience of their local neighbourhood.

Budgens strives to meet the varying lifestyles, locations and shopping needs of the consumer with 227 outlets in three formats – supermarket, convenience and petrol forecourts. It also operates a franchise scheme which gives progressive, independent retailers the opportunity to benefit from the success of its brand.

One such example is the Simon Smith Group, a family owned and run company operating six petrol forecourts across Gloucestershire. Last year the Simon Smith Group was crowned Forecourt Trader of the Year by Forecourt Trader magazine with its Budgens Barnwood site. What’s more, relying on technology from Epson and Torex Retail at all of its sites, the company was also awarded Best Use of Retail Technology.

The Group set about a complete knock down and re-build programme of its Barnwood site in order to offer customers a fresh experience, enhanced service and, ultimately, to improve its profitability. “The site performed well in the past, but we knew there was potential for so much more,” said Group Manager, Susie Hawkins. “With the right offer and technology we were confident we could achieve our goal. We chose Budgens as we liked the product range and the comprehensive support package it offers its franchisees.” With its previous EPoS system coming to the end of its life, the Simon Smith Group required a highly specified solution with greater capability, such as Chip & PIN and online authorisation. “We needed a dependable system to ensure reliable and fast service for the customers,” explained Susie.

The company opted for Epson’s MR-800s running Iridium PoS and Prism back-office software from forecourt and convenience specialist Torex Retail. “We were impressed by the flexibility and modularity of the Epson system, lending itself to a variety of different configurations. The MR-800 also has the flexibility to enable us to add the peripherals that we actually need.” She continued, “The Torex software allows us to integrate all aspects of the business from wetstock reconciliation to automatic stock control and provides instant access to such information.”

In May 2005, the new 2,800 square foot Budgens store was opened and the modern forecourt unveiled. In its first week, shop sales were £24,000, with the fuel volume at 80,000 litres, and it’s been growing since. The site now averages around 120,000 litres of fuel a week and about £40,000 in the shop. “The site’s been such a success and a real hit with the customers,” said Susie.“We wanted to make a design statement with the forecourt and shop and feel we’ve achieved that.” And, it’s a design statement which she feels is complemented by Epson’s MR-800. “We specifically wanted a black system for the sleek, modern look we were trying to achieve.” She continued, “We love the touchscreen – in this business high staff turnover and temporary workers are commonplace and so it was key that the system was easy to get to grips with. The on-screen prompts make it so simple to use and as a result we are processing transactions quicker.”

And it doesn’t stop at Barnwood. The group’s Cheltenham site has also recently undergone a minor re-vamp, with the shop being re-branded to Budgens. The next big project is the Monmouth site, “I’d like to win again next year with another site,” said Susie. “It’s a very exciting time for us – with Budgens behind us and with the right technology there’s no stopping us!”

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