Tankerford Ltd has unveiled its first Refuel Market branded store at Ardleigh South Service Station, Essex, following the launch of its Nisa Local store at Ardleigh Village Service Station in August.
This development of a former Spar store represents a ”significant step in Tankerford’s strategy to innovate and diversify its retail offerings”.
The Refuel Market brand, created by Tankerford as a sub-brand, offers a new concept for convenience retail that incorporates a fresh, elevated shopping experience for both commuters and local customers.
The store features a robust selection of freshly prepared food items, an expanded range of snacks, and meal deals tailored to the preferences of on-the-go consumers, with exclusive Co-op own brand products through a supply deal with Nisa.
Jamie Wheeler retail sales director at Tankerford Ltd shared the rationale behind the introduction of the Refuel sub-brand and the collaboration with Nisa: “When I joined Tankerford, we saw an opportunity to offer something different within the service station market.
“We wanted to create an inviting, modern space that would encourage people who might have driven past to stop in and see what we have to offer Nisa’s support, especially with Co-op products, was invaluable in shaping Refuel Market, allowing us to cater to a wide range of customer preferences and make fresh, high-quality items more accessible.”
To elevate the experience further, the store’s meal deal includes unique products from new suppliers such as Simply Lunch which offers customers sushi and other high end speciality lunchtime options, as well as locally sourced baguettes and rolls.
The “Flavours of the World” section introduces international snacks and beverages from regions like Europe, the U.S., and Japan.
The store’s focus on premium convenience, paired with an accessible price point, has been well received by early customers. “We’re seeing strong initial interest and positive feedback,” said Wheeler.
“Our customers are largely commuters and truckers, and our aim is to make it easy for them to find quality, fresh products quickly. The response has already exceeded our expectations, with our new offers and refreshed branding enhancing the shopping experience,” he added.
Nisa’s head of retail Taranjit Singh Dhillon expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and Tankerford’s innovative approach: “Tankerford’s vision with Refuel Market aligns perfectly with our goal of delivering fresh, convenient options to communities across the UK. We’re proud to be a part of this journey and support the Refuel Market’s growth with our Co-op product range and dedicated service. We look forward to seeing the Refuel Market brand expand and resonate with even more customers.”
The Ardleigh South Service Station’s Refuel Market marks the beginning of a promising venture for Tankerford Ltd, with plans to assess the potential for future Refuel Market locations based on site suitability and customer demand.
The new site marks the beginning for Tankerford Ltd, a it plans for potential future Refuel Market locations based on site suitability and customer demand.
“This is a trial, but we’re very optimistic,” added Wheeler. “If Refuel Market continues to perform well, we’ll look into bringing this unique shopping experience to other locations that align with the brand’s appeal and values.”
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