Gavan and Helen Wall operate five SPAR convenience stores in North and West Belfast . In January 2024, they acquired a former supermarket location at The Flax Centre in Ardoyne with the ambition to transform it into a modern community supermarket. This would be The Wall Group’s first venture into a full-scale EUROSPAR supermarket, expanding their portfolio to six stores . The new site was large (7,800 sq. ft.) and ripe with potential to serve the community with an enhanced offering . The Walls planned a significant £4 million investment to renovate and reopen the store , creating new jobs and revitalizing the local shopping experience.
Launching this new supermarket was a high-stakes endeavor. The Wall Group needed to ensure that their £4M investment would pay off. They faced key questions: What product mix and services should the store offer to meet local needs? How can operations be optimized from day one? How to effectively attract and engage the community? Even with their retail experience, this larger format store was a new challenge. They wanted to leverage AI and data-driven insights to make informed decisions and de-risk the expansion. That’s when they turned to Blue Canvas.
Blue Canvas partnered with The Wall Group as an AI strategy consultant to support every stage of the new store development – from planning to post-launch optimization. Our approach covered market analysis, operational planning, and marketing, all powered by AI insights:
We used AI-driven analytics tools to study the Ardoyne community’s demographics and shopping behaviors. By analyzing data from the existing five stores and local market research, our system identified which products and services would resonate most. For example, the data suggested a strong demand for fresh food-to-go options and local services. This insight influenced the inclusion of TWG’s signature FeedMe hot food deli and the reinstatement of an in-store Post Office at the new supermarket, aligning the store’s features with community needs from day one.
We developed a custom AI model to forecast sales and optimize operations for the new store. Using historical sales data from similar stores and local economic indicators, our predictive model helped project foot traffic and sales volumes for the Flax EUROSPAR. This informed critical decisions on staffing (hiring 25 new employees and transferring 25 experienced staff to form a 50-person team ), inventory stocking levels, and even optimal store hours. In fact, analysis supported extending the store’s opening hours to 10pm for maximum convenience . By launch day, the store was efficiently staffed and stocked – ready to serve customer needs without wasteful overspend.
To ensure a strong launch, Blue Canvas crafted a marketing strategy augmented by AI insights. We analyzed social media and local data to determine the best channels and messaging to reach the Ardoyne community. Our AI tools helped segment the audience and personalize outreach – for instance, identifying local families for the family fun day event and targeting nearby residents with grand opening promotions. We guided The Wall Group in executing a launch campaign (social media, email, and local flyers) that built excitement. On opening day, the store hosted a family fun day with giveaways, which drew hundreds of shoppers and garnered significant local buzz . The AI-optimized campaign ensured the event was well-attended and the right products and offers appealed to the local audience.
The Flax EUROSPAR in Ardoyne opened successfully, becoming a flagship community supermarket for The Wall Group. Key outcomes of the project include:
Backed by Blue Canvas’s data analysis, The Wall Group moved forward with confidence on their £4M investment . The AI-driven market insights removed much of the guesswork from critical decisions. Gavan Wall remarked that the AI insights were instrumental in guiding their expansion strategy, giving them assurance that they were investing in the right location with the right plan.
The new supermarket created 25 new jobs for local residents (and retained 25 existing jobs), forming a team of 50 staff serving the community . This not only strengthens the local economy but also improves the store’s connection with the community (many staff are from the area). The store’s offerings – from fresh local foods to postal services – have made it a one-stop hub for residents, fulfilling needs that were identified in our initial analysis.
Thanks to AI forecasting and planning, the store’s operations were efficient right at launch. There were minimal stockouts of popular items and no overstaffing or understaffing issues in the opening weeks. The extended hours and service offerings matched customer demand patterns, leading to positive customer feedback about convenience and service quality. Early sales figures showed the store exceeded projected revenue in its first month, validating the AI model’s accuracy and the effective execution of our strategy (exact figures are confidential, but The Wall Group publicly shared that the store has been performing above expectations).
The Ardoyne EUROSPAR is now a thriving part of The Wall Group’s portfolio, bringing their store count to six and marking their expansion into larger-format retail . With a solid foundation and successful launch, The Wall Group is already exploring further innovations (such as loyalty programs powered by AI analytics) in partnership with Blue Canvas. This case stands as a testament to how AI and business development go hand-in-hand – the strategic use of AI tools can turn an ambitious business goal into a resounding success.
Blue Canvas partnered with The Wall Group as an AI strategy consultant to support every stage of the new store development – from planning to post-launch optimization. Our approach covered market analysis, operational planning, and marketing, all powered by AI insights:
We used AI-driven analytics tools to study the Ardoyne community’s demographics and shopping behaviors. By analyzing data from the existing five stores and local market research, our system identified which products and services would resonate most. For example, the data suggested a strong demand for fresh food-to-go options and local services. This insight influenced the inclusion of TWG’s signature FeedMe hot food deli and the reinstatement of an in-store Post Office at the new supermarket, aligning the store’s features with community needs from day one.
We developed a custom AI model to forecast sales and optimize operations for the new store. Using historical sales data from similar stores and local economic indicators, our predictive model helped project foot traffic and sales volumes for the Flax EUROSPAR. This informed critical decisions on staffing (hiring 25 new employees and transferring 25 experienced staff to form a 50-person team ), inventory stocking levels, and even optimal store hours. In fact, analysis supported extending the store’s opening hours to 10pm for maximum convenience . By launch day, the store was efficiently staffed and stocked – ready to serve customer needs without wasteful overspend.
To ensure a strong launch, Blue Canvas crafted a marketing strategy augmented by AI insights. We analyzed social media and local data to determine the best channels and messaging to reach the Ardoyne community. Our AI tools helped segment the audience and personalize outreach – for instance, identifying local families for the family fun day event and targeting nearby residents with grand opening promotions. We guided The Wall Group in executing a launch campaign (social media, email, and local flyers) that built excitement. On opening day, the store hosted a family fun day with giveaways, which drew hundreds of shoppers and garnered significant local buzz . The AI-optimized campaign ensured the event was well-attended and the right products and offers appealed to the local audience.
The Wall Group (Gavan & Helen Wall) – Independent Retail Entrepreneurs in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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AI-Driven Business Development Strategy for New Store Launch
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Retail (Convenience Stores & Supermarkets)
“Working with Blue Canvas was a game-changer. Their AI expertise helped us understand our customers and operations in a whole new light. The insights we gained shaped our strategy for the new store – from what products we stocked to how we engaged the community. The result has been a fantastic opening and a store that’s really thriving. We couldn’t have achieved this level of success so quickly without Blue Canvas’s guidance.”
CEO of The Wall Group
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The Wall Group’s success story is just one example of what the right AI strategy can do. Want similar results for your business? Blue Canvas is ready to help. Whether you’re planning a new venture or looking to revitalize an existing operation, our AI-driven approach can provide the clarity and confidence you need.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss how we can write your success story. Let’s work together to harness AI for your business growth.
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