Booker Retail Partners has signed a wholesale supply agreement with forecourt operator MRH to supply 370 of its forecourt stores nationwide with chilled and ambient lines.
The deal builds on the relationship MRH has established with Booker through its Budgens symbol, which is present at five MRH forecourts that were acquired through Peregrine Retail earlier this year. Following successful trials at these stores, Budgens will become one of MRH’s retail partners across its estate. A further six sites will transition to Budgens, and are expected to be open by Easter next year.
In addition, as part of MRH’s strategy to broaden its retail offer to meet the different needs of its customers, its Hursts Grab and Go brand will be rolled out to an additional five sites, which will also open by Easter. These stores will also be supplied with food-to-go lines and branded ready meals by Booker.
The agreement comes in the wake of a deal Booker recently concluded with Shell to supply over 500 of its stores.
“We are delighted to have agreed this partnership with Booker,” said MRH boss Karen Dickens. “The strength of their brand and quality of service means we can offer our customers even more choice, and further enhances our fresh and food-to-eat-later credentials. Broadening our convenience offer is an important part of our strategy in creating ever more reasons for customers to visit and shop with us.”
Steve Fox, MD of Booker Group – Retail, said: “It is our privilege to serve MRH as they operate great stores, with fantastic standards. I’m confident that this partnership will build on this success and we are looking forward to helping them drive footfall, sales and profits.”
