Makro has announced the next eight locations in its major store investment programme, which will see all 30 of its UK stores revamped by the end of 2010.
The cash and carry for independent businesses is to revamp sites in Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol and Glasgow this summer and a further four, Croydon, Park Royal, Cardiff and Washington, will also be refreshed under the second phase, beginning August 24.
These eight stores follow the success of two stores revamped last year, Manchester and Queensferry, which have been showing positive results. The store revamps are modelled around Makro’s increased focus on hotels, restaurants and caterers.
As a result, a greater proportion of the store space is dedicated to fresh food (meat, fish and fruit and vegetables) and grocery, along with a more professional range in non-food, ensuring a true ‘one-stop-shop’ for its customers.
The grocery section will be completely overhauled with an increased choice of range and pack size.
Makro is also investing heavily in the training and development of its store teams so they all have greater knowledge and skills in order to do the best job possible and help build customer loyalty.
The People Training Programme focuses on developing the behavioural competencies of its store teams and the House of Training programme concentrates on technical and operational skills based on best practice at Metro Cash & Carry stores.
Hannes Floto, Makro managing director, said: “The revamp programme, which we term Future Stores Programme, is all about a real focus on the needs of our core customers.
“We trialled the concept last year in two stores and it has proved very popular and successful, so we’re now motoring ahead with the roll-out, starting this year with eight stores. and we plan to complete the remainder next year.”
