Tates, the retail division of wholesaler AF Blakemore & Son, has announced record profits of £5.4m for 2007-2008, an increase of £1.1m on the previous year.
But managing director Geoff Hallam warned staff and suppliers that with competition becoming ever more aggressive there was no time to rest on their laurels.
The Tates group now has 213 Spar stores, due to rise to 250 by 2010. It spent some £9m on refurbishments and acquisitions in the last year and will spend even more this year.
“Acquiring the right stores and forecourts was not easy,” Hallam said. “Price, product, innovation, location, customer service and the brand need to be right if we are to deliver a great customer experience in this highly competitive environment.”
He added that the company will continue its focus on fresh foods, including further developments of its Food to Go offer.
