Sandpiper CI is a company based in the Channel Islands. It operates the 'Checkers Xpress' supermarket brand and a number of franchises of United Kingdom retailers. The company owns or operates many outlets in the Islands, together with a small number of franchises in Spain and Gibraltar. On 27 June 2007 the group was sold to a private equity consortium comprising Duke Street Capital and Europa Capital for £260 million. In 2016 the company ownership reverted to a Channel Islands consortium.
In January 2016, Sandpiper CI announced a deal with Burger King to operate restaurants in the Channel Islands. The first franchise is in Jersey.
Checkers and Checkers Xpress
Checkers was a small supermarket chain in the Channel Islands, which was operated by Sandpiper CI. It was sold in 2011 to Waitrose. There are still several smaller Checkers Xpress convenience outlets across the Channel Islands, owned by Sandpiper CI. In 2016, Sandpiper CI's Island Shopper stores were rebranded as Checkers Xpress. The Checkers brand was relaunched in 2009 with a plan to "reveal a fresh new look emphasising the freshness and quality of our food". Many Waitrose products were made available to Channel Island shoppers after a partnership was struck with the John Lewis Partnership, owners of the Waitrose chain of stores. Also in 2009, Robert Dyas 'shop-in-shop' outlets were opened in Checkers stores, by arrangement with the UK store chain.
CI Hospitality
CI Hospitality operates in excess of 80 pubs across the islands. The hospitality division is now run separately as Liberation Group.
Costa Coffee
Sandpiper CI operates Costa Coffee stores in Jersey, Guernsey, Spain, and Gibraltar. There are currently five stores in Jersey, two in Guernsey, seven in Spain and one in Gibraltar. The stores in Spain and Gibraltar, and Hotel Chocolat Gibraltar, are run by a sister company, Sandpiper Iberia.
In February 2018, British supermarket chain, Morrisons, announced a new wholesale supply initiative with Sandpiper, which included the majority of their 43 stores being re-branded as "Morrisons Daily" and selling Morrisons' own-brand products.
Others
MMD Shipping Services, a Portsmouth-based business which specialises in stevedoring, warehousing and distribution services, publishing, brewing, baking and Channel Rentals figure amongst the group's other activities. These divisions are now run separately. The property division is responsible for acquisition and development of commercial and residential property which is then sold or retained for letting.
Former operations
Large supermarkets
In October 2010 it was announced that contracts had been exchanged for the sale of the three major Checkers supermarkets, at Redhouses and Rue des Pres in Jersey and Admiral Park in Guernsey, to Waitrose. The deal was subject, amongst other things, to the approval of the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The stores would continue to be run by Sandpiper CI until the end of January 2011.
Safeway
Between 2005 and 2011, CI Traders/ Sandpiper CI operated the Safeway stores in Guernsey and Jersey. When Safeway was bought by Morrisons the decision was made to sell the Safeway Channel Islands stores and the stores joined Sandpiper CI until they were purchased by Waitrose and converted.
Cimandis
A foodservice wholesale and distribution business, Cimandis, was sold to Bidvest 3663 in 2015., the business continues to be branded Cimandis Foodservice.
In 2013, Sandpiper CI operated two Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurants in Guernsey and Jersey.
L'Abeille
L'Abeille, a French soft drinks manufacturer based in Nantes, was bought by a Jersey brewer in 1989 and merged to form Channel Islands Traders in 2002. The business was sold in 2009.
Pet and Home Discount Centre
In 2014, Sandpiper started its Pet and Home Discount Centre branded 'shop-in-shops'. The concept was discount products at unbeatable prices. Three stores were opened in Jersey, and one was opened in Guernsey. All stores quietly closed the same year. The 'shop-in-shop' areas that Pet and Home Discount Centre took up now house Checkers Xpress, Greggs, Iceland, and Wine Warehouse stores.
