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Lots more in store for new retail support company

Sep 4 2010 by Iain Laing, The Journal

Steph Campbell, with Peter Stephenson, left, and Bob Soulsby, of Solo Business Solutions, and Nisa Local's David Brown

A PAIR of experienced retail professionals are expanding a business they launched to give shops a helping hand.

Bob Soulsby was made redundant two years ago and Peter Stephenson took early retirement and so the duo, with 70 years experience in the grocery and convenience store business between them, decided to set up in business together.

Solo Business Solutions, which launched in early 2009, is now working with retailers Nisa throughout the UK and has recently taken on two additional members of staff.

Mr Soulsby said: “After being made redundant I decided it was time to make sure my destiny was my own and wasn’t in the hands of somebody else.

“I secured a role with an electronic point of sale provider where I gained additional experience in this area; however, I was still keen to become self-employed. I decided to make the break to take time out to research and plan for the business while my wife continued to work within the sector.

“Peter and I got in touch having worked together at Presto/Safeway and decided to proceed with our project, knowing that our work experience was complementary.”

The business started out offering advice and support for individual projects on behalf of industry contacts, but as demand increased, this quickly evolved into a full programme of support including retail consulting, merchandising, business computer systems, stocktaking and stock valuations.

They carried out their own research in the early stages, however after a meeting with the bank manager, Soulsby made contact with Business Link which gave the firm advice and support on issues including marketing and quality standards.

He said: “I didn’t realise support from organisations like Business Link existed and we had relied on our own research up until that point.”

Solo Business Solutions is now working on projects throughout the UK from Scotland to Cornwall and even Northern Ireland. Nisa, which had originally contracted the business for ad-hoc projects, has increased the volume of work and has recommended the business to their customers.

Londis has contracted the business to provide a merchandising service on a trial basis. The firm is continuing to work with Business Link, where adviser Steph Campbell said: “The business has been very receptive to new ideas and as a result is well on track to achieve its business aims for 2010.”