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.

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