In an increasingly competitive retail world, how can you ensure your store stands out?

Meet the Speaker

Louise McWhirter is Head of Insight and Digital at him! – a research and consulting agency specialising in convenience shopping and retail. Louise joined the company in 2014 as a Shopper Insight Manager before which, she spent nearly 5 years working at international retail analysis firm, Planet Retail.

In the session: ‘Help your Store Stand Out’, Louise will be joined by David Rees (Host and Editor, C-Store Magazine), Mike Baker (Brand Director, Budgens) and Chaz Chahal (Manager, Costcutter and Simply Fresh) when they will explore how you can find your USP and strike the right balance between consistency, and creating something truly different.

Outstanding Insight

We asked Louise to give us a preview of her insight about standing out from the crowd. She says:

“Some of the most successful grocery concepts to emerge in recent years have aimed to stand out from the crowd, via differentiation and the creation of USPs. Take the Eat 17 store chain, with stores in East London and Kent. Here we have a business which looks nothing like any other c-store, never mind any other Spar store (which it is). Its ability to tailor its range and in-store theatre to a niche local demographic is central to its success.

After proximity and friendly/helpful staff, the idea that shoppers are supporting their local store is the main reason they are likely to choose a particular retailer. Therefore, bringing ‘local’ back into focus is a huge opportunity for small stores – 42% of c-store retailers say local and inspiring products make a shopping experience more enjoyable and many are turning towards locally-sourced products as a way of offering shoppers something a little different.”

Louise’s session will take place at 2.30pm on Monday 24th April at the Retail Hub.

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