Retailers hit the capital for Bestway's Awards Night... - Best-one

...And the winners are....
It was a fantastic night for Best-One retailers at the Bestway Retail Development Awards 2008
(full details on following pages) And especially so for these special retailers who scooped the Best-One
awards. We’ve uncovered a few facts about our winners to find out what makes them tick!
Bulent Demirci
Best-One National Retailer of the year
Store name: Best-One Charminster
Address: 376 Charminster Road, Charminster, Bournemouth.
Dorset. BH8 9QS Telephone: 07859 912454
Shopkeeper’s name: Mr Bulent Demirci
l Mr Demirci started in the retail business in March 2006 in a
small shop across the road from where he is now. The shop was
empty and he fitted it out himself with the little money that he
had because he wanted to keep as much as possible for stock.
l The first week he took less than £1000, but before he moved
across the road to his new shop he was taking £10,000. He felt
he had outgrown the shop so when the lease came up on a larger
unit across the road he took the opportunity.
l The new shop was a gym. Uno did the shop fit and Best-One
did all the merchandising and ordering for the new shop, moving
stock from the old shop to the new one in cages in the pouring
rain!
l Mr Demirci has always been loyal to Best-One even though
friends have told him that he should shop in cash & carrys in
London. His turnover is now £16,000 a week and rising.
Steven Robinson
National Retailer Runner up of the year
Lisa Jones
Community Award
Store name: Hillside Food and Wine.
Address: 211 – 213 Amesbury Avenue, Streatham, South, London. SW1 3BJ
Shopkeeper’s name: Steven Robinson
Telephone: 0208 6713355 / 07956 817681
l Steven Robinson started as an independent retailer in a
50sqm shop with a turnover of £3.5 – 4K/week
l He bought the shop next door and joined Best-One for
support and advice
l He had a complete refurbishment by Uno to create a 100
sqm shop and included a new 7.5m fridge for chilled goods
and soft drinks
l He installed new 3 phase electricity to cope with the new
refrigeration and replaced freezers to double door upright
freezers for a clearer display
l He also installed point 4 epos system with in-store screens
for promotional adverts
l He introduced Best-One leaflets, posters and promotions and
also increased his range by introducing Bake and Bite, ethnic
food including Polish and Jamaican, organic lines and
vegetarian lines
l All the above has resulted in an increase in turnover of
460% in 12 months to £18.5K/week
l Steven is also a pillar of the community, supporting his local
football team by purchasing a football kit for them, providing
assisted shopping and delivery for the elderly and disabled
plus a number of other things
Store name: Best-One Stop ‘n Shop
Address: Best One 38 Station Road, Sholing, Southampton. SO19 8HH
Shopkeeper’s name: Lisa Jones
Telephone: 07789 402105 / 02380 435252
l Lisa, an ex-Dorothy Perkins store manager is raising funds
to help pay for a new scout hut which is used for the local
pre school facility and for other community activities.
l Lisa has organised many fund raising events and activities
for her local scout group including a visit by the local fire
brigade
l Lisa held a fun day in her shop with tea and biscuits where
more than 60 customers enjoyed a cup of tea and a biscuit
and had the chance to chat.
l Robert Morris, a regular customer said, ‘This is a wonderful
idea. I use this shop everyday not only because it is local
but also because Lisa and her team must run the friendliest
shop in the country. The staff go out of their way to chat
and be friendly. There’s always a smile. Other shops which I
won’t name could learn a lot from Lisa’.
l Lisa helps disabled and elderly customers with their
shopping including free delivery