Haldanes
Haldanes is a chain of mid-sized supermarkets operating in the United Kingdom. Established in 2009, the company is notable for being the first mid-sized supermarket chain to open for business in the UK in 27 years, having been buying stores from the Co-operative group, which was forced to sell some shops following its acquisition of Somerfield. The chain are keen to promote their intentions towards supporting local communities, such as committing to sourcing at least 35% of its food and drink from local producers at each store and by supporting community events, a statement which is reflected in their tagline, "Refreshingly Local". The first of the Haldanes stores began trading from mid-November 2009.
History
The chain was founded in 2009 and began trading in November 2009 with 5 stores, with a further 13 outlets across the UK set to be operational by Easter 2010. The company's first stores were purchased from the Co-operative group, which was forced by the Competition Commission to sell some stores following its acquisition of Somerfield. Although most of the initial stores were based in Scotland, the retailer has stated that they intend to acquire stores "the length and breadth of the UK", with their first store in England set to open in January 2010 in Tattershall, Lincolnshire.
The first store opened on Wednesday 18 November 2009 in Prestonpans, East Lothian. In the same week, the company announced that its first store in England would open in January 2010 in former Co-operative Group premises in the Lincolnshire village of Tattershall.
Management
The director of Haldanes is Arthur Harris, whose middle name gave the company its name. Chief executive officer Graeme Hay and managing director Gordon Emslie have grocery sector experience: the latter previously worked for Asda and Sainsbury's, two of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. Steve Back, one of the company's non-executive directors, is the former chief executive officer of Somerfield.
Operations
The company has two operational bases. Its headquarters are in Grantham in Lincolnshire; a regional office is being established in Broxburn, near Edinburgh. The buying group Nisa-Today's will supply most of the chain's goods, except those which are locally sourced.
Haldanes operate small and medium-sized supermarkets, between AbOUT and in size.