SPAR stores taking part in a new merchandising programme instigated by Appleby Westward have already seen a positive impact on sales. One store in the Cornwall area run by Gordon and Karen Green has enjoyed an uplift in weekly sales. Before the project took place weekly sales in store were £8,677 and an uplift of 29% now see's last week's sales at £11,236 respectively, while Howard Toms' store in Southsea, Portsmouth has seen a sales boost of 11% and 6.6% year on year. Head of Sales Vince Brown said the merchandising programme was taking part in 32 nominated stores throughout the region until the end of this year. "Appleby Westward is more than simply a delivered wholesaler - we are partners in growth with our retailers," he said. "Our added services like merchandising are designed to help grow their businesses." Appleby Westward has been focussing considerable effort on space planning, regularly updating its suite of planograms to make sure its stores have the best range and opportunity in the convenience marketplace. Regional sales managers discussed the project and the benefits of implementing planograms with their stores. As a result, they nominated 32 shops where they believed significant benefits could be achieved by reviewing the amount of space allocated to products and their location on the fixtures. "As well as creating extra sales, it was felt the stores would also achieve improvements to range and choice, availability, shop standards and overall customer perception," said Vince. "At the same time, it would allow them the opportunity for better stock management." Nominated retailers are being visited by merchandising team Helen Holmes, Becky Tremain and Christina Smith, who identify the opportunity to de-list slow sellers in preparation to review the space and implement the planograms.

The Musbury Garage SPAR forecourt store near Axminster has introduced a Post Office local service, providing a welcome boost for the area.

Post Office local is a new concept that allows retailers to offer Post Office products and services via shop staff through their main sales operations, rather than at a separate counter with dedicated Post Office employees and Julian Rinaldi, owner of Musbury Garage in Marlborough Road, has introduced one in his forecourt convenience store.

The Musbury store does, however, have its own Post Office till point and Julian has taken on two part time members of staff to help run the service.

"We are delighted to be able to offer this important additional service to our local community," said Julian. "Because we are open from 7.30am until 8pm every day of the week, we can offer longer convenient opening hours and easier service.

"The Post Office approached me to take the service on when the subpostmaster decided to retire and I didn't hesitate as it will maintain an essential service to the village and the surrounding area."

Julian converted the small garage shop into a modern 1,000 sq.ft. SPAR convenience store three years ago shortly after taking over the business from his parents Frank and Barbara.

Since then, the convenience store has flourished and become an integral part of the local community, providing an extensive range of convenience essentials and regionally sourced products, as well as fostering an involvement in local fundraising activities.

Post Office spokesperson Judith Aubrey said: "We are delighted to say that Musbury Post Office is one of three Post Offices opening in Devon this month, part of a three-year investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, that will see around 6000 (about half the Post Office network) converting to new-style branches, that offer longer opening hours for customers."