As Nearby continues to grow so does its commitment to independent retailers, marking
four years of Nearby building strong community connections and fostering successful partnerships
Since launching its first store in 2021, the brand has expanded significantly, boasting over 160 locations across the island of Ireland. This rapid growth, especially amidst current economic and industry challenges, celebrates the brand’s flexible model, strong branding and strong desire of local independent retailers to join the Nearby family. At the heart of Nearby’s success is its retailer-first approach. Jason McSteen, Nearby IRL sales manager, emphasizes the brand’s dedication to partnering with retailers who are as passionate about their customers, products, and stores as the Nearby Retail Team are at S&W Wholesale. This commitment is evident in Nearby’s flexible model, which avoids long-term contracts and marketing fees, instead focusing on providing on-the-ground retail support, along with the tools and technology retailers need to thrive in today’s ever-changing market environment.
“From day one the Nearby team will work with retailers to fully understand what makes their store unique. Retailers are at the heart of everything we do,”McSteen states. This collaborative spirit ensures that each store retains its unique identity while benefiting from the strength and positioning of the Nearby brand. Nearby’s community-first strength is at the forefront of what the brand has to offer. Evident within the brand’s strapline, ‘Never too far from home, which resonates deeply with both retailers and their community.
The brand endeavours to build strong meaningful connections with each customer at their local store. This focus on community is reinforced further by the brand’s modern in-store design, messaging, all tailored to the customer’ needs, which continues to enhance the overall customer experience and drives an increased footfall. Nearby has an array of marketing campaigns aimed at shining a light on our stores in the community, specifically their Local Legends campaign, proudly supported by super brand Kellogg’s where they are giving members of the public the chance to go in stores and nominate their own ‘Local Legend’ to give them a chance to win a cash prize! Community driven initiatives like these help Nearby retailers curate strong meaningful connections with the customers they serve and their community alike.
The strength of partnerships
S&W Wholesale, Nearby’s wholesale partner and parent company, provides retailers with a significant advantage offering competitive pricing across over 8,000 ambient, chilled, fresh, and frozen product lines, ensuring retailers can provide a wide variety of choices to their customers. S&W’s commitment to it’s Nearby retailers is further demonstrated by its ongoing expansion. The company is developing a 20-acre landmark site near Newry, Co. Down, which will nearly double its warehouse space to 180,000 sq ft.
This expansion will allow for increased delivery capabilities, an expanded workforce, and place S&W in a much better position to service their 2,500 customers base across the island. This redevelopment project reinforces S&W Wholesale’s dedication to strengthening relationships with local suppliers, retailers, and consumers, ensuring well-stocked shelves and a wide variety of product choices for every retailer.
Partnerships, like communities are a cornerstone of Nearby as it continues to grow brand, extending beyond the crucial relationship with its parent company, S&W. Since the inception of the Nearby brand four years ago – its signage partners have played a vital role in enhancing the brand visibility and in-store
communication for it’s retailers and customers. Collaborations with leading signage providers ensure access to high-quality, cost-effective solutions, ranging from exterior fascia and in-store shelving & digital signage solutions. These partnerships often involve bespoke services and streamlined installation processes from the hands of its award-winning store development and design team, helping retailers create impactful and consistent experiences for all of their customers under the Nearby Brand.
Furthermore, Nearby understands the vital role its retailers play within their communities and actively fosters relationships with public bodies and local organisations to help support this. Collaborations with councils, business support, and sustainability groups enable Nearby to support their retailers’ community initiatives, charitable efforts, and local connections, ensuring they remain at the heart of their communities in everything they do outside of day-to-day retail.
Award-winning concepts
Over the last four years, the Nearby brand has tackled the rising cost of living head on and introduced many value driven initiatives, ensuring that all customers can find real savings and value right on their doorstep. The most notable of these has been the award winning Bring Home the Value (BHTV) initiative -which is a four-deal concept that runs every three weeks in all Nearby stores promoting savings across household essentials literally allowing consumers to ‘bring home the value from their local Nearby store. The concept is highlighted instore with hanging signs, POS kits and overbags; with further awareness through the digital sphere on its social channels and through direct-to-consumer e-mails. From its launch until today, Nearby’s independent retailers have really adopted the concept and with that have seen high and retained levels of footfall every week to grab the bespoke deals. This is further demonstrated by these deals being a consistently bestseller for many of Nearby’s retailers.
Continued growth – Team up with Nearby’
As it stands, the Nearby brand at four years old has over 160 retailers on the Island of Ireland which speaks volumes about the brand itself and its forward-thinking retail team. A key factor to Nearby shaping the Irish convenience retail landscape is their continued focus on new retail initiatives spearheaded by the S&W Nearby, Sales & Marketing Team. Through its Team up with Nearby campaign, the team once again looks to the benefits of becoming a nearby retailer and how this transfers into real-world experiences for potential new retailers.
From no franchise fees to support from their dedicated business development manager and access to an award winning marketing team, the Nearby team can provide you with the support and market knowledge that your store needs to thrive in today’s ever-changing market. All they ask for in return is a retail partner who is as passionate about their customers, products and the future of their store as the team at Nearby are. While most importantly, offering your store total independence, ensuring that you run your store, your way, within in your community – with the strength of the Nearby team behind you. Learn more about becoming a Nearby franchise.
Looking to the future while being
‘Never too far from home’ As Nearby celebrates its fourth year, the brand’s trajectory points towards a future defined by sustained growth and unwavering commitment to its core values- remaining
committed to independent retailing, focusing on a ‘retailer-first’ attitude, providing award winning support to help you thrive and most off all being ‘Always Nearby’ when it matters most. The rapid expansion to over 160 locations across the island of Ireland is not merely a testament to the brand’s strength but a reflection of its ‘retailer-first model that thrives even in these challenging economic times. The Team up with Nearby campaign, with its multiplatform rollout, underscores the brand’s proactive approach to fostering a sense of community and partnership, positioning Nearby not just as a
retail network but as a supportive family.
The success of the Bring Home the Value (BHTV) initiative highlights Nearby’s ability to innovate and respond to the evolving needs of its customers. This initiative demonstrates the brand’s understanding of the importance of being customer focused and value-centric and for the local communities of Ireland, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. Looking ahead, Nearby’s growth strategy is rooted in a holistic approach that prioritises innovation, value, community and the ongoing success of its existing retailers. The Meet your independent retailer’ campaign, which showcases retailer testimonials, serves as a powerful testament to the brand’s collaborative ethos. By highlighting the positive experiences of its partners, Nearby not only celebrates its achievements but also inspires other independent retailers to join the network. The partnership with S&W Wholesale continues to be a crucial component of Nearby’s success. The seamless integration of wholesale operations with the brand’s retail strategy ensures that retailers can focus on delivering exceptional customer service and building strong community relationships. In an increasingly competitive market, Nearby’s focus on innovation and community engagement sets them apart. The brand’s commitment to providing on-the-ground support, coupled with its flexible model and strong branding, creates a compelling value proposition for independent retailers. By avoiding long-term contracts and fees, Nearby empowers its partners to retain their unique identities while benefiting from the strength of a now established symbol brand.
Ultimately, Nearby’s success is driven by its unwavering dedication to its retailers and the communities they serve. As the brand continues to expand, it remains committed to fostering strong partnerships, delivering exceptional value, and building a sustainable future for independent retail across the island of Ireland.
The brand’s forward-thinking approach, combined with its deep understanding of the local market, positions Nearby prominently in the retail market, poised for continued growth and success for many years to come. By staying true to its tagline of “Never too far from home,” Nearby continues to build a network of thriving local stores that are integral to their communities, solidifying its position as a brand that truly understands and supports at the heart of Irish retail.
