26/11/2002

Local SPAR stores appraised by UK team

A recent three-day long study tour of some of the Province's SPAR stores, which had the theme of “Stand Out And Be Recognised” has taken place in SPAR stores across Northern Ireland.

The tour enabled retailers and dignitaries from the convenience retail industry to inspect the stores which are now making a name for the SPAR group as a leader in convenience retailing.

Over 60 delegates from other SPAR Guild areas, throughout the UK, came along to the study tour which began in The Ramada Hotel in Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast.

On the first day of the tour, the programme was concentrated around stores in the north-west area while the second day saw delegates visit four stores in the Greater Belfast area.

Commenting on the tour, Ken McWhinney, Deputy Managing Director, said: “At the Ulster Guild of SPAR, we are delighted to have been able to provide a most successful Study Tour for all sixty delegates who came from over the UK to Northern Ireland.

"The nine stores visited throughout the two day Study Tour showed us why they are the best shops in their localities. Every one of the selected stores strive to continually make customers the key focus of their business, by focusing on customer’s ever changing requirements."

All stores were selected as they boast additional features and focus on specific areas, which allowed the visiting retailers to see example of new initiatives in play, which they could adopt in their stores, throughout the UK.

Strong focus was placed on Food To Go, Fresh Food, Promotions and additional complementary services available to customers.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 April 2019
Five Stars For Game Of Thrones Tour
Tourism NI has awarded the tour of Game of Thrones filming locations across Northern Ireland a five star rating, indicating an outstanding visitor experience.
05 February 2016
Minister Highlights Potential For Tourism Growth
More than 100 tour operators are to visit Northern Ireland today, 5 February. Following a meeting with representatives of the European Federation of Chinese Tourism, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Jonathan Bell said: "The pace of the growth of tourism in China is staggering.
03 August 2011
Irish Airfare Levy For Spring Review
The Government has decided to retain the €3 Travel Tax pending a further review next spring. As part of the Jobs Initiative, it was announced that the €3 Travel Tax would be suspended subject to a deal being reached with airlines to re-instate cancelled routes and restore lost capacity.
24 May 2002
Award-winning retailer takes over Lisnaskea SPAR
A long-time member of the grocery trade, John McCaffrey, a native of Derrylin, along with his wife Ann, have recently returned to their native Fermanagh, where they have taken over ownership of the long-established Connolly’s SPAR Supermarket in Lisnaskea. The SPAR in Lisnaskea is a 3,000 sq. ft.
27 September 2002
Ulster Stores make £1m Welsh expansion
Coleraine-based Ulster Stores has bought a major department store in Llandudno, Wales. In its first-ever acquisition outside of Northern Ireland, Ulster Stores, a family-run business established in 1925, paid £1.43 million for Clare's department store.