Recens

Logo of Recens.

## Status

Active

**Recens** (formerly **Marsden Family Groceries**) is a Norcafian chain of supermarkets founded on 11 February 1937. The chain currently operates over 50 stores in Norcafa and Malta, with plans to expand to Italy. It is the largest supermarket chain in Norcafa, serving over 800,000 customers and a 59% market share as of 2019, followed by Lidl and SPAR.

## Etymology

The Latin word 'recens' translates to 'fresh' in English, reflecting the wide variety of freshly-sourced food and drinks that are offered in stores.

## History

### Early years

Recens was founded by brothers Robert and Lynn Marsden on 11 February 1937 as Marsden Family Groceries after several failed attempts at making a profitable business. The first store opened as a local grocery store in Tunwillbridge, offering mainly fruits and vegetables grown from a nearby farm Robert and Lynn worked on with their parents.

The business became a hit amongst residents of the town. After being convinced by their parents, the brothers moved and established a new grocery store in Maiclaus under the same name, with the original store in Tunwillbridge remaining open, with more stores subsequently opening. During World War II, most of their stores suspended operations due to the Italian invasion of Norcafa and food supply being severely disrupted.

However, Robert and Lynn died in combat, leaving their parents to run the business until their retirement in the late 1940s. Marsden Family Groceries was then sold to Norcafian businessman Alan Waller for £2,000, renaming the business to Recens. After the war, all stores reopened to the public.

### Expansion and rising profit

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, more stores began opening towards the east of Niama, Norcafa's mainland, to provide a range of products that couldn't be purchased on that part of the island at the time, as well as taking less time to access the company's stores. Recens became the largest supermarket in Norcafa, with the 10th store opening in Glen in 1965. By 1970, it was reported that over 7,000 customers visited their stores every month.

Recens would experience a substantial increase in customers and profit for the next few decades, with their first international store opening in Sliema, Malta in 1998 to appeal to more consumers. More stores would subsequently open in Mosta, Kirkop and Victoria during the 2000s and 2010s. In 2013, CEO Archie Barsotti announced that the supermarket chain was receiving over €2.5 million annually, also stating that it was 'more than every other business in the country.'

The first Recens Mini convenience store opened in Burnba, located on the east of Niama, in 2015. For the remainder of the decade, 6 more stores of its kind would open in towns with lower populations. The company stated that more stores will open around the country, but is currently put on hold due to COVID-19.

In 2019, the company announced plans to expand into Italy in hopes of being successful in a larger market, as announced by CEO Vonda Harrell. Locations for the new stores were revealed on the company's Facebook page in March 2022, with 10 planned stores in cities including Naples, Palermo and Taranto in which all are expected to open by 2025.

### COVID-19 impact

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Recens recorded a €6 million loss in profit, with many employees losing jobs. The company encouraged following protocols in their stores to keep customers safe. Delivery via ordering online was introduced in Maiclaus in early 2021, and would become available in more locations across Norcafa throughout 2021 and 2022.

## Locations

Recens operates 47 stores (including Recens Mini stores) in its country of origin, with most of their stores located in the capital Maiclaus. Since the company's expansion into Malta, 4 stores have opened in the country. Plans were announced for the chain to expand to Italy, where 10 stores are planned to open in the south of the peninsula along with Sicily.

## Controversy

In 2007, Recens begun a campaign where many of their offered products' prices were lowered by 15%. During the campaign, over 500 complaints were filed to the company for having to pay the original prices rather than the discounted prices. Later that year, the company admitted to these deeds and was fined €2 million in false advertising charges. The CEO at the time would resign soon after.

## Gallery

Recens logo.A Recens supermarket in Maiclaus.