Convenience is the name of the game

TURNOVER at David Sands, the Kinross-based convenience store chain, has risen by 14 per cent after the firm concentrated on its "food to go" range and opened two stores.

Sales hit 39.5 million in the year to 31 December, while pre-tax profit increased from 1.33m to 1.39m. The family-run business has opened a further two stores so far this year, with its 30th store planned for Glenrothes.

Chief executive David Sands, the fifth generation of his family to run the firm, hailed the success of its new central kitchen division in Kinross, which produces sandwiches, salads and ready meals for its stores.

But he warned the major supermarkets were "waking up to the lucrative profit opportunity offered by smaller stores" and that he would be adding more locally-sourced products to stay ahead of his competitors.