Bestway enters into new long-term partnership with major Convenience & Travel interchange operator, James Retail
Following hard on the heels of news in 2024 of Penny Petroleum joining Bestway Retail with the conversion of 60 sites, and Simply Fresh re-signing on a long-term basis, Bestway Retail, part of Bestway Wholesale, has now announced a new long-term partnership with James Retail – the 40-strong, nationwide, Convenience and Travel interchange operator, owned by the hugely experienced and respected industry champion, Jonathan James.
Already working with the leading privately-owned neighbourhood and travel hub operator, the new agreement accelerates Bestway Retail’s strategic growth plans and sees the award-winning James Retail convert their estate to both Costcutter and Costcutter on-the-go formats.
Bestway Retail and James Retail have been working closely together since Bestway’s acquisition of Conviviality Retail in 2018. The relationship has strongly developed over the last two years with James Retail placing a greater focus on the Convenience aspect of the business and utilising the Bestway Retail and Costcutter entrepreneurial brands and associated supply chains.
11 of James Retail’s sites have been successfully converted to the Costcutter brand, including the site in Lymm in Warrington, Cheshire which has since recorded a sales increase of +20%.
Jonathan James, owner of James Retail, said: “We are delighted to be entering a new and exciting phase of our long-term partnership with the Bestway Retail and Costcutter team. We have already seen impressive sales uplift from the stores we have converted to the Costcutter brand, and we look forward to enjoying more success as we convert more of our convenience stores this year.
“The Costcutter brand is a hugely recognised convenience brand that shoppers recognise, trust, and have confidence in. Its grocery convenience offer is able to meet shoppers’ needs across all of their shopping missions.”
Jamie Davison, retail director for Bestway Retail, commented: “Having known Jonathan and Mark Titterton (Managing Director of James Retail), for many years and having thoroughly enjoyed working with them and their dynamic team over the last two years, we’re delighted to have successfully demonstrated that we are best placed to partner with them as they embark on the next phase of their business evolution which underpins their ambitious growth plans”.
“The sites which have already converted to Costcutter have seen a sustained minimum 15% increase in weekly sales and so we are confident that the conversion programme will drive strong commercial growth for James Retail and will equally be very well received by their loyal shoppers.”
