Booths
Booths is a family-owned British supermarket chain specializing in high-end groceries, fresh produce, and fine wines, primarily operating in Northern England.[1] Founded in 1847 by tea dealer Edwin Henry Booth in Blackpool, Lancashire, it began as a modest tea shop called The China House, established with an £80 loan when Booth was just 19 years old.[2] Today, the company remains under the stewardship of the fifth generation of the Booth family, with Edwin J. Booth serving as chairman since 1997 and emphasizing a commitment to quality, personal service, and sustainable practices.[1] The chain has grown from its origins in tea and provisions to become renowned as "The Good Grocers" for its focus on premium, locally sourced products without non-food sections in most stores, distinguishing it from larger competitors like Tesco or Sainsbury's.[3] Key milestones include the opening of its second store in Chorley in 1855, the addition of wines and spirits in 1863 following licensing reforms, incorporation as a private limited company in 1896, and the introduction of self-service formats in 1962.[1] Under the leadership of John Booth in the 1990s and 2000s, the number of stores doubled, and in 2005, Booths relocated to a modern warehouse in Longridge to enhance supply chain efficiency.[1] As of 2025, Booths operates 26 stores across Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester, employing approximately 3,000 people and maintaining store sizes typically between 18,000 and 25,000 square feet.[4] The company prides itself on an own-label range, ethical sourcing—such as its Fair Milk initiative supporting local dairy farmers—and a customer-centric approach that includes in-store delis, bakeries, and fish counters.[1] Despite challenges like inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, Booths reported a 1.4% sales increase to £323 million for the year ending March 2025, underscoring its resilience as an independent retailer.[5]Overview
Founding and Ownership
Booths was founded in June 1847 by 19-year-old tea dealer Edwin Henry Booth, who opened a small shop called The China House in Blackpool with a loan equivalent to £80 in goods, initially focusing on tea sales and dealing.[6] The business began as a modest enterprise emphasizing quality goods and customer service, reflecting Booth's aim to provide the best available products in an attractive setting.[1] In 1896, the company was formally incorporated as E. H. Booth & Co. Ltd, a private limited company with registration number 00049933, marking its transition from a sole proprietorship to a structured corporate entity.[7] This incorporation laid the groundwork for further growth while maintaining family control. By 1920, during a period of post-war prosperity, the company invited its employees to become shareholders, establishing a unique employee-ownership model that persists today.[1] Ownership remains divided between the Booth family, which holds approximately 96% of shares, and staff, comprising over 250 shareholders as of 2011, with no individual stake exceeding 12%.[8] The current executive chairman, Edwin J. Booth (born 20 July 1955), represents the fifth generation of the family to lead the business; he assumed the role in 1997 and oversees operations from the company's headquarters at Booths Central Office, Longridge Road, Ribbleton, Preston, in central Lancashire.[9] In May 2025, the sixth generation of the Booth family joined the business.[10] In the 2019 New Year Honours, Booth was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to business and charity.[11]Business Model and Operations
Booths operates as a premium, independent supermarket chain primarily in Northern England, distinguishing itself through a focus on high-quality fresh produce, extensive local sourcing from regional suppliers, and superior customer service delivered by knowledgeable staff. This positioning as a "destination retailer" emphasizes an upscale shopping experience with in-store fresh counters, including dedicated delicatessens offering seasonal salads, cold cuts, and preserves, as well as on-site bakeries that bake bread daily using dough from artisan partners.[12][13][14] The company maintains a network of 26 stores, each typically ranging from 18,000 to 25,000 square feet and tailored to reflect local community characteristics, supported by approximately 3,000 employees who receive specialized product training to enhance service quality. Business practices prioritize regional engagement over national expansion, including the sale of tobacco products via in-store kiosks alongside lottery services, and a marketing strategy centered on seasonal, localized campaigns rather than broad national advertising to foster community loyalty. As a family-owned entity with partial employee share ownership, this structure encourages staff investment in operations.[4][15][16] Financially, Booths reported revenue of £318.6 million for the year ended March 2024, marking a 6.7% increase from the prior year, though it incurred a pre-tax loss of £1.6 million, narrowed from £4.0 million in 2023 amid rising operational costs and economic pressures. In the subsequent year to March 2025, sales grew further to £323 million—a 1.4% rise driven by higher footfall and basket sizes—while pre-tax losses halved to £0.846 million, reflecting improved cost management and sustained demand for its premium offerings. The chain has earned recognition for its operational excellence, including the Independent Retailer of the Year award at The Grocer Gold Awards in 2015, and multiple Grocer Gold accolades for customer service.[17][5][18][19]History
Early Years and Expansion
Booths was established in June 1847 when 19-year-old tea dealer Edwin Henry Booth secured a loan of £80 to open his first shop, The China House, in Blackpool, Lancashire. Specializing initially in high-quality teas, the business repaid the loan within three months and generated a £50 profit, enabling rapid early growth.[20] By 1855, Booth had opened a second, larger store in Chorley, marking the beginning of expansion beyond Blackpool. In the 1860s, the company transitioned from a pure tea dealership to a full grocer, incorporating provisions such as wines and spirits following changes in UK licensing laws in 1863. This shift was exemplified by the opening of the first dedicated grocery store in Blackpool during the decade, alongside a Preston branch in 1867 that emphasized quality provisions amid the industrial growth of Lancashire towns.[20] Further openings followed in Lytham in 1878 and Blackburn in 1884, extending the chain into nearby Lancashire communities and solidifying its regional presence by 1900. Under the leadership of Edwin Henry Booth's eldest son, John Booth, who assumed control in 1899 following his father's death, the business was incorporated as a private limited company in 1896 and continued to prioritize premium goods during economic pressures of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.[20] A pivotal innovation came in 1902 when John enlarged existing stores and introduced in-store cafés, aligning with the emerging café culture among middle-class consumers and diversifying beyond traditional grocery sales. These cafés, featuring afternoon tea services, enhanced customer experience and contributed to the chain's reputation for quality-oriented retail.[21] Family involvement remained central, with the Booth descendants maintaining private ownership until 1920, when John invited employees to become shareholders, fostering loyalty while preserving family control. This period of interwar growth saw eight new stores added between the 1920s and 1930s, focused on upscale provisions amid economic challenges like the Great Depression. By the eve of World War II, Booths had established a network emphasizing fresh, local sourcing and customer service in Lancashire's key towns, setting the foundation for postwar adaptation.[8]Recent Developments and Challenges
Following World War II, Booths underwent significant modernization to adapt to changing retail trends, transitioning from traditional counter-service shops to self-service formats in the 1960s. In 1962, the company converted its first stores to self-service while maintaining a focus on personal customer service, marking the beginning of a broader shift toward supermarket-style operations.[1] This redevelopment continued through the late 20th century, with expansions into Cumbria and Yorkshire, including stores in Windermere, Ulverston (1995), Ilkley (1997), and Settle (2001).[1][22][23][24] In the 1990s and 2000s, Booths emphasized innovation through the introduction of own-label products and a commitment to ethical sourcing, differentiating itself from larger competitors. Under John Booth's chairmanship from 1970, the company doubled its store count from around 14 to 28 between 1990 and 2000. In 2005, Booths relocated its central warehouse to Longridge near Preston to improve supply chain operations.[1] The company developed its own-brand range to ensure consistent quality and support local producers, with initiatives focusing on sustainable and regionally sourced ingredients becoming central to its identity.[25] By the early 2000s, over 80% of its fresh meat was locally sourced, reflecting a long-standing ethical approach that boosted profitability amid rising demand for transparent supply chains.[26] A key milestone came in 1997 with celebrations for the company's 150th anniversary, highlighting its enduring family-owned structure under the Booth family leadership, which has spanned six generations.[27] More recently, Booths has faced economic pressures leading to store closures, including the MediaCityUK branch in 2021 due to insufficient footfall, the Hale Barns location in April 2024 owing to high operational costs, and the Ripon store on July 20, 2025, citing economic viability concerns.[28] These closures reduced the total number of stores from 28 to 26, ending Booths' presence in Greater Manchester.[28] To address market challenges from dominant chains like Tesco, Booths has adapted by enhancing its online offerings, launching a click-and-collect service in April 2020 to support customers during the COVID-19 pandemic and building regional resilience through quality-focused, community-oriented operations.[29] The company continues under family leadership, with sixth-generation member Emma Booth joining in 2025 as category development manager, the first female in this role.[10]Store Network
Lancashire Locations
Booths maintains 16 stores across Lancashire as of 2025, comprising over 60% of its total network of 26 outlets and highlighting the county's central role as the chain's founding heartland. These locations emphasize the retailer's commitment to high-quality, locally sourced goods, with each store typically featuring expansive fresh produce sections that showcase seasonal items from regional suppliers. Store formats vary in size from around 10,000 to 30,000 square feet, allowing for tailored layouts that prioritize customer experience through wide aisles, in-house bakeries, and specialist counters for meat, fish, and cheese.[30][4][31] Among the flagship sites is the Poulton-le-Fylde store at Blackpool Old Road, Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 7DF, the closest operational outlet to Booths' original 1847 Blackpool location and a nod to its heritage as a premium grocer. This approximately 20,000-square-foot venue includes a popular café and robust fresh produce area, drawing shoppers from the surrounding Fylde coast communities. In Preston, the Fulwood branch at 256-270 Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood PR2 9HD, stands out as a larger-format store opposite Royal Preston Hospital, boasting an extensive deli counter with artisan cheeses and charcuterie alongside a dedicated organic produce zone spanning several thousand square feet. The Chorley store at New Market Street, Chorley PR7 1DB, further exemplifies regional focus, with its compact yet vibrant 15,000-square-foot layout centering on hyper-local fruits, vegetables, and bakery items sourced from Lancashire farms.[32][33][34] Other notable Lancashire stores, such as those in Clitheroe at Station Road BB7 2JT and Lytham at Haven Road FY8 5EG, follow similar designs, integrating community-oriented features like wine cellars and seasonal event spaces while maintaining the chain's emphasis on sustainability through reduced packaging in produce displays. This concentration enables Booths to dominate the upscale grocery market in Lancashire, fostering strong ties with local producers and customers.[35][36]Cumbria and Yorkshire Locations
Booths operates nine stores across Cumbria and Yorkshire, strategically located in rural and market towns to serve local communities and visitors. These sites reflect the chain's northern expansions, which began in Cumbria with the 1937 opening of its first store outside Lancashire in Kendal and continued through the late 20th century into Yorkshire during the 1970s and 1980s as part of broader estate redevelopment efforts.[37][1] In Cumbria, Booths has seven stores, catering to both residents and the region's tourism-driven economy, particularly in the Lake District. Key examples include the Kendal store at Wainwrights Yard, LA9 4DP, which integrates a Booths Café offering breakfasts, lunches, sandwiches, and cakes to enhance the shopping experience.[38] The Windermere store at Victoria Street, LA23 1QA, emphasizes tourist-oriented fresh goods, including local produce, baked items, and a café with ample parking to accommodate visitors exploring the area.[39] Other Cumbria locations are Keswick at Tithebarn Street, CA12 5EA; Kirkby Lonsdale at Dodgson Croft Road, LA6 2HG; Milnthorpe at Park Road, LA7 7AD; Penrith at Brunswick Road, CA11 7JU; and Ulverston at Oubas Hill, Canal Street, LA12 7LY.[32]| Store Location | Address | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Kendal | Wainwrights Yard, Kendal, LA9 4DP | Booths Café with full menu; central market town hub |
| Keswick | Tithebarn Street, Keswick, CA12 5EA | Serves Lake District locals and tourists |
| Kirkby Lonsdale | Dodgson Croft Road, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2HG | Focus on rural community needs |
| Milnthorpe | Park Road, Milnthorpe, LA7 7AD | Convenient for surrounding villages |
| Penrith | Brunswick Road, Penrith, CA11 7JU | Supports local sourcing in Eden Valley |
| Ulverston | Oubas Hill, Canal Street, Ulverston, LA12 7LY | Coastal town accessibility |
| Windermere | Victoria Street, Windermere, LA23 1QA | Tourist-friendly with fresh, local goods and café |