It was announced earlier this year that SandpiperCI, the Channel Islands’ largest retailer, would be replacing its Food Hall mini-supermarkets across the Island with the UK franchise as part of a major rebranding exercise.
It is hoped the move will mean price cuts for Islanders, increase the range of products available and generate as many as 100 jobs.
SandpiperCI chief executive Tony O’Neill said that the first store to be converted would be the Food Hall in St Ouen’s shopping precinct.
‘St Ouen is first and will launch on 10 May. After a period of evaluation, we will then roll out to Gloucester Street and Five Oaks in June,’ he said.
‘Thereafter the refits will take place every other week until we conclude Jersey shops by mid-October.
‘St Ouen is going to be closed for about four days before the relaunch. For each of the stores they will be closed for four days maximum for the rebranding.’
He added that plans were being put together for launch events and special introductory promotions.
Mr O’Neill said that the deal with Morrisons would see a wider range of products introduced in the Island and price cuts could be expected.
‘There will be the Morrisons range of products and for many of the stores outside of town there will be a Costa Coffee offering, as this is part of the Morrisons proposition,’ he said.
‘The prices will also be at least five per cent lower than they are at the moment.’
He added that Safeway products would soon be replacing Nisa ones in other supermarkets owned by SandpiperCI, thanks to Morrisons’ takeover of Safeway last year. The change follows the purchase of Nisa by the Co-op in the UK.
‘We will be introducing Safeway-branded products into our Express and Iceland stores. This is because we have been supplied by Nisa and selling their Heritage products in those stores,’
he said.
‘It wouldn’t be acceptable to be selling products which are being sold by your major competitor
[the Co-op].
‘Morrisons has taken over Safeway, so we are able to replace the Nisa Heritage products with that brand.’
