Budgens
Encyclopedia
Budgens Stores Ltd is a chain of foodstores in the United Kingdom
. It was founded in 1872 by John Budgen, who opened the first store at Maidenhead
, Berkshire
. Budgens supermarket chain operates over 227 stores and employs over 6,000 staff. Budgens is a subsidiary of Musgrave
Retail Partners GB.
.
In October 1997, Budgens acquired the 55 store UK network of 7-11 stores, re-branding them with the concept name 'B2'. Very soon afterwards it was clear that the name was not popular with customers and the 30 stores that were outside London began trading under 'Budgens' fascia. The 'B2' branded stores in London were then changed to 'Budgens Express' before finally reverting to the 'Budgens' brand.
In 2002, the company was purchased by the Irish
Musgrave Group
. Two years afterwards, the Musgrave Group started selling their Budgens stores, the largest stores were disposed of on the open market with stores in places such as Tadley
and Mildenhall
to larger store chains. Other stores were divested to independent retailers such as Jempsons and Tout who continue to trade from them under the 'Budgens' name. Musgraves also franchised the Budgens brand, leading to more store openings in the independent sector and expanding the brand to many forecourt stores.
In 2007, the divestment of the original Budgens stores to independent retailers was completed, but a few Budgens stores whose franchise-holders had failed to perform had been returned to Musgrave. A further eight stores were bought in 2009 from the Co-op
(who had acquired them on taking over the Somerfield
group but were instructed to dispose of them by the Office of Fair Trading
). Once these new stores have been re-fitted and stocked as Budgens stores they will be divested.
size range and the bottom end of the supermarket
size range, as these two terms are used in the United Kingdom. According to retail analysts TNS Worldpanel, Budgens ranked 13th in the United Kingdom grocery sector in December 2004, with a market share of 0.4%.
The town of Fakenham
in north Norfolk
includes the Budgens store that received the Warburtons
award for local produce in 2009.
In 2006, 2007 and 2008 Budgens was voted number one fresh foods convenience retailer of the year.
, when the lead characters raided the store for food during their escape from London.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was founded in 1872 by John Budgen, who opened the first store at Maidenhead
Maidenhead
Maidenhead is a town and unparished area within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, in Berkshire, England. It lies on the River Thames and is situated west of Charing Cross in London.-History:...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. Budgens supermarket chain operates over 227 stores and employs over 6,000 staff. Budgens is a subsidiary of Musgrave
Musgrave Group
The Musgrave Group is a major Irish food wholesaler, founded in Cork by the Musgrave brothers, Thomas and Stuart in 1876. Musgrave Group has become Ireland's largest grocery distributor. Today, the Group has operations in Ireland, United Kingdom and Spain. Musgrave is the largest private company in...
Retail Partners GB.
History
The first Budgens store was founded in 1872, by John Budgen. The first stores were small local grocers, which expanded across the South of EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
In October 1997, Budgens acquired the 55 store UK network of 7-11 stores, re-branding them with the concept name 'B2'. Very soon afterwards it was clear that the name was not popular with customers and the 30 stores that were outside London began trading under 'Budgens' fascia. The 'B2' branded stores in London were then changed to 'Budgens Express' before finally reverting to the 'Budgens' brand.
In 2002, the company was purchased by the Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Musgrave Group
Musgrave Group
The Musgrave Group is a major Irish food wholesaler, founded in Cork by the Musgrave brothers, Thomas and Stuart in 1876. Musgrave Group has become Ireland's largest grocery distributor. Today, the Group has operations in Ireland, United Kingdom and Spain. Musgrave is the largest private company in...
. Two years afterwards, the Musgrave Group started selling their Budgens stores, the largest stores were disposed of on the open market with stores in places such as Tadley
Tadley
Tadley is a town and civil parish in the English county of Hampshire.During the 1950s and 1960s, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment , now known as AWE, became the area's largest employer, and a large number of houses were built during this period to accommodate AWRE workers...
and Mildenhall
Mildenhall
Mildenhall could be*Mildenhall, Suffolk, a town in England.*Mildenhall, Wiltshire, a village in England.*RAF Mildenhall, an air force base near Mildenhall, Suffolk.*The Mildenhall photographic collection, created by William James Mildenhall....
to larger store chains. Other stores were divested to independent retailers such as Jempsons and Tout who continue to trade from them under the 'Budgens' name. Musgraves also franchised the Budgens brand, leading to more store openings in the independent sector and expanding the brand to many forecourt stores.
In 2007, the divestment of the original Budgens stores to independent retailers was completed, but a few Budgens stores whose franchise-holders had failed to perform had been returned to Musgrave. A further eight stores were bought in 2009 from the Co-op
The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is...
(who had acquired them on taking over the Somerfield
Somerfield
Somerfield was a chain of small to medium sized supermarkets operating in the United Kingdom. The company was taken over by the Co-operative Group on 2 March 2009 in a £1.57 billion deal, creating the UK's fifth largest food retailer. The name is currently being phased out and replaced by the...
group but were instructed to dispose of them by the Office of Fair Trading
Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading is a not-for-profit and non-ministerial government department of the United Kingdom, established by the Fair Trading Act 1973, which enforces both consumer protection and competition law, acting as the UK's economic regulator...
). Once these new stores have been re-fitted and stocked as Budgens stores they will be divested.
Stores
The stores range in size from around 140m² to around 900m², and therefore fall into the convenience storeConvenience store
A convenience store, corner store, corner shop, commonly called a bodega in Spanish-speaking areas of the United States, is a small store or shop in a built up area that stocks a range of everyday items such as groceries, toiletries, alcoholic and soft drinks, and may also offer money order and...
size range and the bottom end of the supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
size range, as these two terms are used in the United Kingdom. According to retail analysts TNS Worldpanel, Budgens ranked 13th in the United Kingdom grocery sector in December 2004, with a market share of 0.4%.
The town of Fakenham
Fakenham
Fakenham is a town and civil parish in Norfolk, England. It is situated on the River Wensum, some north east of King's Lynn, south west of Cromer, and north west of Norwich....
in north Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
includes the Budgens store that received the Warburtons
Warburtons
Warburtons is a British baking firm based founded by Thomas Warburton in 1876 in Bolton, then in Lancashire, now in Greater Manchester, England. For much of its history Warburtons only had bakeries in Lancashire and it remains a family-owned company....
award for local produce in 2009.
In 2006, 2007 and 2008 Budgens was voted number one fresh foods convenience retailer of the year.
Popular culture
Budgens is featured in the 2002 film 28 Days Later28 Days Later
28 Days Later is an acclaimed 2002 British horror film directed by Danny Boyle. The screenplay was written by Alex Garland, and the film stars Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Megan Burns, and Christopher Eccleston...
, when the lead characters raided the store for food during their escape from London.