A POPULAR convenience store chain with hundreds of locations will close a popular site today after 32 years of service.
The family-run convenience store has made a huge impact on the community and loyal customers have been left “emotional” by the closure.
One Stop in Mount Nod, Coventry, sold its last product today as the Uppal family, who have run the store since 1992, have decided it's time to move on.
Mal Uppal ran the store with her two sons Aman and Joga – she will retire and her sons will now pursue their own careers.
Aman told Better Retailing: “We were in our ninth year of our One Stop contract, which runs for five years, and we agreed as a family that it was the right time for Mum to retire.
“Initially, after Dad passed away, we wanted to complete the project of opening a One Stop as it was his dream and vision.
“We planned to sell the in 2020, but then Covid hit and it wasn’t the right time, but five years on, we’ve found the right owners to take over the shop and it’s the perfect time to make that step.”
Aman's father originally opened the store as a Londis but switched it to a One Stop in February 2016.
He ran the business with his family but tragically passed away, with his family continuing to pour their hard work into the shop their Dad opened.
The shop sponsored charity Sky Blues in the Community, handed out Creme Eggs, and even held Valentine's Day poetry .
In one heartfelt post, the family thank the children from Mount Nod Primary School for surprising them with Carols.
The beloved store has won a plethora of awards including Independent Achievers Academy awards (now known as the Better Retailing Awards) forshop layoutanddigital engagement and Aman said he will be sad to see it go.
Now the site has been sold on to the new owner, Sai Ram, it will be refitted but remain as a One Stop.
Loyal customers took to social media to share their disappointment at seeing the Uppals leave the iconic shop.
One wrote: “Mal and Bal you have raised some really genuine caring lads there who really cared about the community – I was always met with a smile & great service.
“I for one will always appreciate your loyal friendly service as a friend and as a customer.”
Another added: “You will be missed!”
A third shared: “So emotional reading this.
“We've only lived in the area for a few years but you and your family have been amazing.
“With all your charity , sponsored merch for my kids, and novelty prize giveaways, we thank you from the bottom of our heartsand wish you all the best for the future!“
WHY ARE RETAILERS CLOSING SHOPS
Flying Eze's business editor explained that, in many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping.
Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open.
The has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April 2025, will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed.
The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing.
Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local have hiked parking charges in towns.
Many retailers including and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead.
In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Carpetright, , Dorothy Perkins, Paperchase, Ted Baker, The Body Shop, Topshop and Wilko to name a few.
What's increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online.
They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
