Budgens is set to focus on expanding its estate as its two concept stores reported double-digit sales growth since reopening.

Sales at the Broadstone store in Dorset have increased by 25% since relaunching as the first concept store in October, with fresh sales up 51%.

A second concept store opened in Byfleet, Surrey, in mid-January, with sales up 14% in the first week. A third will open in Crouch End, north London, at the end of March.

Musgrave GB managing director Peter Ridler said the group’s year-on-year sales were “in line or slightly better than the market”.

He also said Budgens was “engaging with retail partners” whose 10-year leases were coming to an end.

“We have plans to grow the estate - we hope the majority of partners will sign up for longer. We’ll be focusing on attracting new retailers in the second half of this year,” he added.

The new 3,000sq ft store in Byfleet turns over about £45,000 a week and is focused on the three shopper missions of food to go, meal for tonight and top-up. It also stocks local products and heavily promotes local suppliers in store.

The Byfleet store is intended to demonstrate how the new proposition can work in stores of any size and in any location.

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