FreshXpress

Infobox company
company_name = FreshXpress
company_
slogan = Local, Fresh, Friendly
company_type = Supermarket
foundation = March 2008
location = Warrington, Cheshire
industry = Retail
products = Groceries
key_people = Brendan Murtagh
num_employees = 130
locations = 9 storescite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/future-not-so-bright-for--discounter-freshxpress-1341254.html |title=Future not so bright for discounter FreshXpress |publisher=Independent.ie |date=2008-04-07 |accessdate=2008-04-19]
parent = FX Holdings
subsid = Infobox Defunct company
company_name = FreshXpress Retail Limited
company_
slogan = Local, Fresh, Friendly
company_type = Supermarket
fate = Administration
Predecessor = Kwik Save
successor = FreshXpress (owned by FX Holdings)
foundation = July 2007
defunct = March 2008
location = Warrington, Cheshire
industry = Retail
products = Groceries
key_people = Brendan Murtagh
Paul Niklas
num_employees = 600
parent =
subsid =

FreshXpress is a discount supermarket chain in the United Kingdom. It was originally formed in 2007, from the rump of the defunct Kwik Save chain, by Irish retail entrepreneur Brendan Murtagh. It existed in its original form between July 2007 and March 2008, culminating in it going into administration, and has since been resurrected in a smaller form.

History

From the remains of Kwik Save

In February 2007 Brendan Murtagh, a major shareholder in Cavan-based Kingspan building materials group backed 70% of a £50 million rescue plan for Kwik Save, with the Kwik Save managing director, Paul Niklas covering the remaining 30%. Murtagh's son Alan had already been a director of the business before he got involved.

A new beginning

FreshXpress Retail Limited first had 56 stores [cite web |url=http://www.kwiksave.co.uk/docs/KPMG%20Press%20Release%20.pdf KPMG |title=Press release |publisher=Kwik Save Dead link|date=March 2008] , all of which were formerly "Kwik Save" stores before the chain went bankrupt. On 6 July, 2007, 56 stores stayed open, forming FreshXpress in an £18m deal, saving around 600 jobs. [cite web |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/07/07/600-kwik-jobs-safe-89520-19420191/ |title=600 Kwik Jobs Safe |publisher=The Mirror |date=2007-07-07 |accessdate=2008-07-08] [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6279474.stm |title=Kwik Save shops sold in £18m deal |accessdate=2007-07-06 |date=2007-07-06 |publisher=BBC News ] The FreshXpress stores officially opened on 21 July, 2007 [cite web |url=http://tankftp.trafika.co.uk/FreshXpress/docs/freshXpress%20launches.pdf |title=A fresh face on your doorstep |publisher=FreshXpress |accessdate= 2008-03-16 Dead link|date=July 2008] . Prodo and The Think Tank assisted with the creation of the new brand. [cite web |url=http://www.prodo.com/case-studies/freshxpress.php |title=FreshXpress Case Study |publisher=Prodo.com |accessdate= 2008-03-16] [cite web |url=http://www.thinktank.org.uk/casestudies/freshxpress_supermarkets.htm |title=FreshXpress Case Study |publisher=The Think Tank |accessdate=2008-07-25] In the middle of September 2007 this portfolio of stores was reduced from 56 to just 23 in the best locations, [cite web|url=http://tankftp.trafika.co.uk/FreshXpress/store_list.htm |title=Store list |publisher=FreshXpress |accessdate= 2008-03-16 Dead link|date=July 2008] the closed stores were sold in chunks to Tesco, Sainsbury's, and The Co-op.

Into administration

Between September 2007 and March 2008 more under performing FreshXpress stores were closed down, leaving just nine stores, and Mr Niklas cut his ties with the company. In March 2008 FreshXpress went into administration. [cite web|url=http://www.usdaw.org.uk/foodretail/news/1206633719_11013.html|title=FreshXpress soon goes stale|publisher=The official website of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers |date=2008-03-27 |accessdate=2008-03-28] [cite web |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2008/04/01/jobs-to-go-at-teesside-store-84229-20701814/ |title=Jobs to go at Teesside store |publisher=Evening Gazette |date=2008-04-01 |accessdate=2008-04-04] On 21 March David Whitehouse of Menzies Corporate Restructuring was appointed joint administrator.

The future

Another vehicle called FX Holdings (formerly Ivybrim), presumably backed by Murtagh, received the go ahead at Manchester Crown Court to acquire the remaining operating outlets. Andrew King, a former executive at Costcutter, one of the company's suppliers is to head up the significantly slimmed-down business with 130 employees.

References

External links

* Dead link|date=April 2008