New supermarket chain Haldanes is today opening a new store in West Lothian, just days after announcing a major UK-wide expansion with the acquisition of another 13 outlets.
The acquisitions bring the number of shops in the independent chain to 18 throughout the UK, following the supermarket’s launch last month.
Haldanes has taken over the former Somerfield outlet on East Main Street, Broxburn, guaranteeing the jobs of all 46 staff, three weeks after opening the first of its planned nationwide chain in Prestonpans, East Lothian, which was followed by another two - in Carluke, Lanarkshire, and last week, in Tranent, just outside Edinburgh.
Company chairman Arthur Harris said the popularity of the other three stores had exceeded all expectations, with takings more than 20 per cent ahead of predictions in early trading.
He said: “More than 8,000 shoppers came through the doors at Prestonpans in the first full week. And we have no reason to think that the people of Broxburn will be any different in their tastes and choices.”
Last week’s acquisition of 13 Somerfield stores took Haldanes’ store total to 18, from Wick, in the North of Scotland, to the Midlands of England, employing around 750.
Haldanes plans to have a chain of about 50 stores, employing about 1,200 people, within the next four years.
The stores trade under the logo Refreshingly Local. Harris said: “Other supermarket groups have boasted a reputation for good-quality products, but we will go further than that; we will be dedicating a higher percentage to freshly grown, local products.”
Haldanes will source more than a third of its food and drink from local producers at each of its nationwide stores.
Harris added: “We also believe that local knowledge is essential and that is at the heart of our expertise. Our local knowledge is particularly important because it means that we able to tailor products to local tastes. Although some of the established supermarket chains have tried to source locally, we believe that none has managed it effectively.”
Although most Haldanes stores are in Scotland, its headquarters are in Grantham, Lincolnshire. It also has a regional base in Broxburn.
As freshinfo went to press, the vice-provost of West Lothian, Councillor Jim Dickson, was due to be at the store opening to welcome Haldanes to the town, where staff have had an anxious nine-month wait for news of the future of their jobs.
The store ceased trading under the Somerfield name last Saturday and staff worked full out to renovate, refurbish and bring it up to standard for reopening under the Haldanes brand.
The other 14 stores will start trading under the new brand from the New Year until Easter, with more additions revealed along the way.
Harris said: “Our acquisition plans are right on track and we will have all 18 supermarkets running under the Haldanes name by Easter. And we are still on the acquisition trail for other stores the length and breadth of the UK.
“We see the mid-size supermarket format, like ours, as the way forward and the shopping style of the future.”
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