SandpiperCI, the largest retailer in the Channel Islands, has reached a new franchise and wholesale supply agreement with the UK supermarket chain, Morrisons.
The new partnership will create around 100 new job roles and see most of Sandpiper’s Channel Islands’ mini-supermarkets being rebranded into ‘Morrisons Daily’ stores. The stores will be supplied with Morrisons own-brand products, alongside other popular branded products.
Sandpiper’s CEO Tony O’Neill commented, “This is a significant step-change for our food retail operation. All our mini-supermarket Food Halls will be converted to the Morrisons Daily fascia which will entail a seven-figure store upgrade investment programme. This new agreement will also be good news for local consumers. The Morrisons scale will help us to save on our operating costs which we can pass on to our customers by lowering food prices as each store is converted.
“We’re also looking forward to introducing the ‘Morrisons Makes It’ products. Morrisons is unique in making more than half its own fresh food products, including: fish, meat, bakery, fruit and veg. They’re also British farming’s biggest supermarket customer allowing our customers access to Morrisons-branded fresh meat which is 100 per cent British.”
James Badger, Morrisons Wholesale Director, said, 'We are pleased to be announcing a partnership with a strong franchise partner in Sandpiper and the opportunity to bring Morrisons quality and value to customers in the Channel Islands. As Morrisons becomes broader and stronger, our brand is becoming more accessible to more customers.'
As part of this agreement, Morrisons will also supply Sandpiper with its recently-revived, Safeway branded products along with further national branded products for Sandpiper’s other fascia stores.
The 12-month store conversion programme will commence in late spring, and once underway, create around 100 new job roles as the business grows. The significant capital investment will also benefit local contractors who will carry out the bulk of the conversion work.