Editing Symbol group (section)

{{short description|Retail business model}}
[[File:Belfast (315), October 2009.JPG|thumb|right|An example of a Centra shop on Stranmills Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland]]

A '''symbol group''' is a form of [[Franchising|franchise]] of [[convenience shop]]s, found primarily in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Ireland]]. They do not own or operate shops, but act as suppliers to independent shops which then trade under a common banner. 

Unlike other forms of franchise, they have expanded primarily by selling their services to existing shops, rather than by actively developing new outlets. Examples of such franchises are [[Spar (retailer)|Spar]], [[Londis (United Kingdom)|Londis]], [[Nisa (retailer)|Nisa Local]] and [[Centra]].

[[File:Nisa - Warren Lane (geograph 2998587).jpg|thumb|right|An example of a Nisa Local shop]]