Conrad Davies, owner of Spar Market, Pwllheli in Wales, is keeping his range fresh and sales high with a focus on local products.

He says: “Our local lines have been selling really well, especially our fresh fruit and locally-brewed beers and gins.

“As its January, some healthy lines like Weight Watchers ready meals have also been popular but we haven’t noticed a knock on effect from Dry January.

“In fact, sales of beers, wines and spirits have actually increased by 30% year-on-year, which is a really impressive result. I’m not sure what is going on but I think people are buying more of the local varieties as gifts.

“Some of the local gins, for example, are about £24 so they are good value for customers and offer good margins for us too. We’ll be building up our range for Valentine’s Day next month and then Mother’s Day after that.

“February is usually the time when everyone is bored of being healthy so we expect sales to climb even higher.”

Star performers: “Our local bakery lines are a point of difference for us to compete against the competition. Customers also appreciate how we package them in brown paper bags instead of plastic.”

Successful NPD

“We’ve just started stocking the Ridiculously Rich range by Alana, who won the Apprentice a few years ago. Her cakes have gone down a storm with our customers.”

Conrad’s Spar Market store is among the first in the country to take delivery of the new display counters from Ridiculously Rich by Alana.

The units are designed to showcase the Ridiculously Rich range, which includes gooey brownies, sticky toffee flapjacks, crème brûlée and salted caramel slices.

The company, which is backed by Lord Alan Sugar, is looking for more small businesses to take units, including c-stores and forecourts.

The display units, which measure 50cm x 55cm x 190cm, are available to lease or buy from the Ridiculously Rich by Alana website.