WM Morrison Supermarkets : Two New Initiatives In The Convenience Market

News Release

Release date: 22 November 2016

TWO NEW MORRISONS INITIATIVES IN THE CONVENIENCE MARKET

Morrisons Daily convenience stores to open in ten Rontec petrol stations, with logistics services to be provided by Palmer & Harvey

Safeway brand to be revived as a range for wholesale to independent retailers

Morrisons is pleased to announce it is to pilot a convenience food offer in ten petrol station shops owned and managed by leading forecourt operator, Rontec.

Four Morrisons Daily shops will open before Christmas and a further six in January. They will be up to 3,000 sq ft in size, and will sell branded and Morrisons own brand products.

Morrisons Daily shops will be supplied by Morrisons via delivered wholesaler specialist, Palmer & Harvey.

Morrisons is already trialling a convenience offer with another forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group.

In addition, Morrisons is pleased to announce it is developing a range of hundreds of convenience products for wholesale to independent retailers, branded Safeway. The range will be available from early next year.

The UK convenience market is very broad and diverse, with around three-quarters held by independents. The re-introduction of the Safeway brand will enable Morrisons to leverage its sourcing and unique food maker skills to give independent retailers' customers access to great quality products.

David Potts, Chief Executive of Morrisons, said:

'These are two capital light ways of growing in the convenience food market. By working with well-established partners and reviving the Safeway brand, we are making our products more accessible to more customers.'

Gerald Ronson CBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of Rontec, said:

'We are constantly looking for ways in which we can improve the service and product range we offer to our customers and are pleased to be working together with Morrisons on this pilot.'

Chris Etherington, Executive Deputy Chairman of Palmer & Harvey, said:

'We are very excited by the opportunity to work with Morrisons to develop Morrisons Daily with Rontec. Palmer & Harvey have worked with the Rontec team for over 40 years and we are very much looking forward to building a long, successful relationship with Morrisons.'

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