McColl's has a network of 1,265 convenience stores and newsagents across England, Scotland and Wales. Our aim is to provide a great range of quality everyday products and services, close to where people live, and available when they need them.
Making all the difference
Our McColl’s convenience stores and Martin’s newsagents (or RS McColl in Scotland) are mostly located close to residential areas, in neighbourhoods and villages, where customers really value all that our stores have to offer.
With everyday access to fresh food and groceries plus a range of services such as ATMs, bill payment, Post Offices and internet collection points, our stores provide a vital service to lots of communities.
Every week we serve 4 million customers and our c16,500 colleagues across the business are committed to delivering great service to each and everyone of them.
At McColl's, we ensure we operate in the right way for our customers - respecting the communities we serve and taking care of the environment.
Environment - Thinking sustainability
We are committed to improving our energy efficiency and we have significantly reduced our energy consumption over the years. We also have a strong focus on managing waste, and recycle plastic and cardboard used in the business. The same lorries that arrive with our products leave with plastic and cardboard, so there no additional miles involved. We also ensure that we maintain very low levels of food waste in all our stores.
It started with one Scottish store in 1901. McColl’s are now a leading neighbourhood retailer across England, Scotland and Wales. With around 1,400 stores, 20,000 warm and friendly colleagues, 5 million weekly customers and a turnover of over £1 billion. We really have come a long way!
1901 The famous Scottish footballer Robert Smyth McColl opened the first RS McColl in Glasgow.
1973 The Group was founded in 1973 starting out as a vending business.
1994 The Group purchased Forbouys newsagents and also opened their first food store.
1998 The Group purchased Martin’s chain of newsagents and convenience stores, becoming the largest neighbourhood retailer in the UK.
2000 The Group sold its vending business to focus entirely on retail.
2005 The Group merges its store brands into McColl’s for convenience and Martin’s or RS McColl for newsagents.
2014 The Group successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange.
2016 The Group opened its 1,000th convenience store in Slade Green, Erith.
2017 The Group successfully integrated 298 new convenience stores and announced a groundbreaking supply partnership with Morrisons
2018 The Group launched the Safeway brand of fresh food and groceries.
