JW Filshill met the challenge posed by the multiples in the convenience retail scene by upping its spend on marketing and promotions and using technology to improve operating cost efficiency in its last financial year.
The strategy helped the Glasgow-based food and drink wholesaler, which owns the Keystore fascia, maintain turnover at £169 million in the year to January 31, 2012, though pre-tax profits slid to £900,000 from £1.24m.
Boss Simon Hannah said the growing presence of the supermarket giants in the C-store area had contributed to a “very challenging trading environment”; bad debts were also said to have affected business.
