Shop Name: Jules Convenience Store

Location: Telford

Time in the business: 35 years

Serves: A wide range of regular customers with schools, colleges and bus stops close by.

Hi Julie! Please tell us a bit about how you began your convenience retail journey?

"I have been co-owner of Jules Convenience since 1990. My inspiration came from my husband Joey who was young, good-looking, enthusiastic and hard-working. We worked as a team to build the store his parents started, he encouraged me to make the store a community hub and bring my passion for people into the business."

What are some aspects of your store that you are most proud of? 

"I am very proud of being able to bring up my family alongside running the store, bringing up three children under five was hard but being able to work and be a parent was great for us as a young couple. This has kept our three children grounded as well.

We are honoured to be the heart of the community and build long-term relationships with customers and outside organisations, Giving back is an important part of our ethos but it also helps to build business and customer loyalty."

Business Insights and Challenges

Please tell us about some common challenges you face day-to-day?

"One major challenge is the price increases on products, energy and staff costs. We have to balance what costs we pass onto our customers and what we have to absorb. We try and think of ways to reduce costs or improve efficiency through using technology and increase sales by creating events and activities to encourage people into our store."

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in the convenience retail business?

"My advice is to network with, and talk to, experienced and proactive retailers. Learn from their mistakes, find out about which suppliers are most supportive and get involved from the start.

Respect all and don't forget your manners, always be polite whether it is a customer, a supplier or a delivery driver."

Your Experience with *shopt

Which *shopt features do you find the most helpful for running your business?

"Notifications of new products enable me to get these stocked and on the shelves quickly."

Can you share a specific example of how *shopt has helped you save time, money, or improve your store operations?

"We find Suntory/ Walkers are great because when you go to the app you can immediately see the new products. Also, it is easy to claim the rewards which we put back into community events such as the Breakfast Club, or sponsoring local fundraising events."

Looking Ahead

Are there any features or support services from *shopt that you’re particularly excited about?

"I enjoy the roundtable networking to learn more about the App, speak to other retailers and learn from best practices."

How would you encourage other convenience retailers to join the *shopt community?

"It's simple to use and you are getting rewards for what you sell, it only takes two minutes to take a photo, submit and get your reward."

Fun Round!

If you were to live on a desert island and could only take 5 items from your store what would you take?

"The 5 P’s! Pen, Paper, Paracetamol, Polos, and Pringles."

What are your most unexpected best-sellers?

"Starbucks chilled coffees and £1:25 Quavers."

Thank you to Julie for contributing to Talking *shopt, it was great to visit Julie's store and hear about her retail journey. If you are a retailer and would like to feature on the Retailer Spotlight, please email us on marketing@shopt.co.uk.

Stay Connected and Join the Conversation

Talking *shopt is just one piece of our digital community. Follow us on Instagram , TikTok and LinkedIn to stay connected, get updates in real-time, and join the conversation with other forward-thinking retailers.

Your feedback and experiences shape the content we create, so don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or topics you’d like to see covered! hello@shopt.co.uk

Download *shopt today

If you want to hear from big brands more often, then download *shopt now. You can watch videos, hear the latest news and access cash rewards and new product information from major brands across all categories – all in one place, whenever it suits you.