OPINION

Retailer

OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS

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OPENING TIMES: How do you adapt them to remain profitable?

“THE EPoS will tell you how much people are spending in your store per hour. I used to shut at 11pm, but over the past year or so, the sales from 10-11pm weren’t justifying us staying open. Pre-Covid-19, it was really good, so last year we changed things. Demand has remained strong which feels great.”

Sunder Sandher, S&S One Stop Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

ABSENCES: How do you manage being short-staffed?

“YOU have to be an open book and let them come to you. If you aren’t open, people won’t talk to you. We have 30 staff and they can all come to me. My phone is always on. If I get a call from someone and they can’t come in, I can go myself.”

Bay Bashir, Go Local Extra Belle Vue Convenience, Middlesborough

“IT’S about accountability. If they’re off sick, there’s nothing you can really do about it, and it can cause issues for the team. If they’re constantly calling in sick, then you need to set up a ‘back to work’ interview so you can talk it through, and then go from there.”

Harj Dhasee, The Village Store, Mickleton, Gloucestershire

“THE competition should be a factor, but not the basis of your decision. In some ways, if they want to stay open and waste money, then let them. Why would you use staff when you’re not busy, when you could have them when you are? We rely on our EPoS data to decide our best opening hours.”

Terry Mulkerns, Mulkerns Eurospar, Newry

We rely on EPoS to decide our best opening hours

IMPULSE: How are you grabbing sales and growing customers’ basket spend?

“WE’RE fortunate in that our promotional bays are at the front door. That first one is so important – the products don’t even need to be on promotion. As long as it’s merchandised so people can’t miss it, then it can be sold at full price.”

Reuben Singh-Mander, The Three Singhs, Selby, West Yorkshire

“WHEN you walk into the shop, right in front of you there are four or five bars with special prices and offers, which is on confectionery and drinks. We’ve moved away from ‘buy one, get one free’ because that’s not possible with rising inflation.”

Shumaila Malik, Costcutter Heathside, Manchester

If you aren’t open, people won’t talk to you

SUPPLIERS: How do you find the right business partners for your store?

“WE’VE always had a free flow when it comes to fruit and veg, so customers can buy what they need. Buying from local suppliers means you can order what you need, and you don’t end up with surplus. We’ve changed what we order day to day. By using local suppliers, you have greater choice.”

Chloe-Taylor Green, Spar Western Downs, Staffordshire

“LOCAL suppliers may be more expensive, but availability is the most important thing. I have started dealing with them a lot more in the past year. I have a local supplier who I trust. Reliability and availability balance out the increase in costs.”

Alan Mannings, Shop on the Green, Chartham, Kent