East Sussex independent Jempson’s has ceased trading under the Budgens brand after buying two of its stores and selling another back to brand owner Musgrave.
Managing director Stephen Jempson said the group had “agreed to part amicably” with Budgens in order to pursue its own vision. Jempson’s has bought the Battle and Rye stores from Budgens and sold the Hawkhurst store. All stores will now trade under the Jempson’s brand and will be supplied by Nisa.
“We had to purchase 95% of our supply either centrally or via Budgens accredited suppliers,” he said. “Now we do not have any such restrictions and are therefore able to build our brand with the suppliers we wish to work with. This is particularly applicable to local suppliers with whom we spend over £3m per annum.”
Jempson’s has planning permission to extend the 10,000sq ft Rye store to 16,000sq ft, with work scheduled to begin in 2015.
A 1,300sq ft Jempson’s Local store opened in the village of Northiam in March, while a 5,000sq ft store is due to open in Wadhurst in June. The group also owns a 35,000sq ft superstore in Peasmarsh, which has always been supplied by Nisa.
Budgens sales director John Pattison said: “This decision has been made by mutual agreement and as the Rye store is significantly larger than the average Budgens store size and Battle will be, post planned developments, the decision reflects both parties’ commitments to developing their own business and brand.”
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