Haldanes is marching into the discount and convenience sector as it looks to strengthen its offer.
The retail chain is launching discount chain UGO - pronounced You Go - following the acquisition of 20 Netto stores along the M62 corridor. These supermarkets trade as Netto and are disposals by Asda from their acquisition of Netto Stores (UK) last year.
The Haldane Retail Group hopes the move will help it gain access to the mid-sized discount grocery sector. It is in advanced discussions to acquire eight further convenience stores and has already acquired one petrol forecourt and a convenience store. It plans to operate them under the name Haldanes Xpress.
Adam Hart and Kristoffer Getche have joined the board as non-executive chairman and IT director respectively.
Haldanes ceo Arthur Harris said fresh produce would be at the heart of UGO’s offer. “Having spoken at length to a large cross
section of Netto customers, it became very obvious that Netto was renowned for the quality and freshness of its fresh produce offer and a large percentage of customers were attracted by that.
“The UGO buying team have been tasked with the remit of ensuring there is absolutely no reduction in quality, freshness or range of product in the UGO fresh produce offer, in fact during the coming months maybe a slight broadening of the range should be the only noticeable difference.”
The retailer has the strapline ‘where prices are low’ along with a yellow and black fascia.
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