Multi-award-winning retailer Colin Smith – SLR’s 2017 Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year – is saying farewell to the Pinkie Farm Convenience Store in Musselburgh.
After nearly four years since opening the brand-new store, Colin has sold his stake in the business to fellow investor and business partner Lindsay Sands.
Commenting on the sale, Colin said: “Pinkie has taken up the past four years of my life and it’s been a joy to put into practice my ideas and advice that I had been giving to retailers over the previous 15 years working in the wholesale sector. I’ve achieved my goal of setting up and running my own business and hopefully helped to shape the move in convenience retail from not just a grocery-focused business but to that of fresh food-on-the-go.
“I admit that it’s not been an easy ride and I have respect for every independent retailer out there.
Lindsay Sands, who already owns the David’s Kitchen stores in Glenrothes and Falkirk, is excited to have increased his share of the business and said that “Colin has created a fantastic store, focusing on fresh, local produce and creating a store that is truly embedded within the local community. Our plan is to continue building on this foundation and develop further Colin’s existing plans for food on the go and future store extension.”
Dan Brown, who originally helped Colin launch Pinkie Farm back in 2014, is taking to the helm as its new Managing Director. After leaving Pinkie in late 2014, he worked for Scotmid in various managerial positions before opening and managing the new Nisa store with the Giacopazzi’s in Milnathort in 2016.
With Dan’s knowledge and experience of both the retail and food to go market, he is well positioned to take on the Pinkie challenge. Colin said: “Dan is a good friend and I know he will serve the business, staff and community well. And this opportunity gives him even more freedom to implement ideas that we’ve both talked about, as well as those he’s seen on his travels”.
Colin plans to enjoy a well-earned break, before seeking a new challenge within the retail or wholesale sectors.
