The Hickson family took over the Spar/BP service station in Birchwood, Lincoln, just two and a half years ago.

It was a knock-down rebuild and right from the start, the family made the decision that the 2,600sq ft Spar store would focus on its off licence offering.

Managing director, Phil Hickson says: "We have 4-500sq ft of space dedicated to off licence lines.

"We have a good selection of red, white and rose wines; with the whites and roses chilled. And a great selection of beer, cider and ale with much of that chilled too.

"We focus on promotions; we run the Spar ones as well as 8-10 of our own at any one time. A really popular one is three bottles of Italian wine for £10. And customers can always come in and find a chilled pack of beer at a great price."

Phil says they use customer feedback, planograms and space allocation analysis to enhance the business.

Best Car care and lubricants outlet sponsored by CDG

Despite the pressure to pack ever-more convenience items in store, the extremely busy Budgens of Daventry makes space for the essential high-margin car care items that motorists still expect to find on a forecourt.

Susie Hawkins, director of site owner The Simon Smith Group, describes the range as "small but appropriate".

This means customers will find everything from L-plates to petrol cans and much more besides, such as convenient wipes, shampoo, waxes and even booster cables.

"This is a high-volume site on a commuter route so car care is a category that’s crucial for the motorist," says Susie.

The 2,300sq ft convenience store complements the modern and attractive feel of the forecourt with its state-of-the-art car wash and, as such, Susie says it provides a ’one stop shop’ offer for all of its customers’ requirements.

best display of chilled food sponsored by ginsters

Large and impressive are probably the best two words to sum up the chilled section at Parkfoot Garage in West Malling, Kent.

Owner David Charman puts the site’s chilled success down to a combination of good eco-friendly equipment with doors that make it all look smart; plastic units inside the chillers that keep the products upright and displayed correctly; as well as a plentiful range that’s always well stocked thanks to six deliveries a week from Spar.

"Grocery, which includes our chilled range, has now overtaken cigarettes in terms of sales in the shop," says David.

As well as standard chilled lines, the store boasts a butchery and delicatessen making it a real stand-out store.

Since its last development, shop sales have risen by a very substantial 45% year-on-year, with average basket spend now at £6.29. David says Parkfoot is a ’real alternative to the supermarkets’, with its unique shopping experience.

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