The research, covering over 6,800 shoppers across the UK, resulted in the chain coming third overall in the convenience channel, behind M&S Simply Food and Little Waitrose and ahead of Sainsbury’s Local, the Co-op, Premier, Costcutter and Budgens.

James Hall, symbol development director at Bestway Wholesale, said: “This proves categorically that we are moving in the right direction and shows that last year’s result, where best-one also ranked top of the pile, was no one-hit-wonder.

“Our members already know that we lead the field in terms of service, pricing and promotions. The coming year will see major advances in fresh and chilled and food-to-go, which should strengthen our leadership in the independent convenience sector.”

The Which? report analysed 11 areas – from ease of finding products to value for money, with best-one unbeaten in every category.

Since January, best-one has signed over 100 retailers to its symbol operation, with a further 250 registering their intent to do so.