Tarpey's SuperValu to host customer appreciation day

The last 12 months for Tarpey's SuperValu on the Dublin Road, Cavan, have been eventful with the store's quality of produce and excellence in customer service being recognised on the national stage. Reporter Ultan Sherry caught up with the team there to find out more about the initiatives behind their success and ahead of a special customer appreciation day this Friday...

 

Among the accolades achieved by Tarpey's over the past year are the overall Nationwide winner of Musgrave's Learning Academy Service of Excellence Award for 2016. This award recognises the store's passion for providing service excellence on a continous basis to local customers and the wider community in Cavan. Tarpey's was also awarded an emerald standard in the Excellence Ireland Quality Awards. They were also runners-up in the Shelf-Life Best in Fresh awards for 2016.

Sean Tarpey, owner of Tarpey's SuperValu, is delighted with the recognition and revealed that over the past two years he has invested over €700,000 in the Dublin Road store so as to give the people of Cavan the best experience, range, value and fresh food supermarket offering.
'What a great recognition for our store, our management, our staff and above all, our customers. This award recognises the most important person in our business, the customer!' he said.

 

Reflecting on many changes in the retail industry in recent years, Mr Tarpey thanked his customers for remaining loyal and making investment in the store possible.
Following consultation with customers in 2015, the revamp instore included better car parking, wider aisles, self-service tills, better pricing, bigger ranges like health and wellness, Italian, mother and baby; the freshest meat, fish, poultry, fruit and veg, dairy, bakery and trained helpful staff. 'Also requirements like supporting local builders, trades, suppliers and keeping the investment in the local community was very important when doing the job,' said Mr Tarpey.
'So two years on and a big thank you to all involved, I think we got it right!' he added.
Having listened to its customers, Tarpey's SuperValu is also making valiant efforts to reach out into different sections of the community to ensure their needs are catered for. One such initiative is sensory friendly shopping for those with autism or other related syndromes. This new initiative began on Wednesday, April 5 last, and Tarpey's are committed to continuing it Wednesday from 7-9pm. During this time, all music and in-store announcements are turned off and the lighting is dimmed in order to create a calmer environment with less sensory stimulation.
Tarpey's have also invested in a specially designed shopping trolley called ‘Alf’, this trolley has a clipboard frame (for PECS) on it to keep the child focused visually on the shopping list and also leaves the parent with two free hands to assist the child more freely whilst shopping.
Store manager Rodney Lyons says he takes 'great pride' in being store manager in his home town of Cavan. 'We see ourselves not only as a retailers but also as a vital part of our local community. We are involved in many activities on a local level - some of which are Tidy Towns, local GAA Clubs, Cavan Golf Club, bag packing weekends for local clubs and many other organisations that benefit from what our loyal customers allow us to give back to the locality.”

Food Academy

Mr Lyons is a big believer in SuperValu's Food Academy initiative, which aims to foster fledgling local producers and help them grow. 'Our Food Academy initiative has really got behind our local producers and really boosted their sales and turnover, helping them to grow their business. Some of these local suppliers would have started their companies off by launching their products in our store, now they are supplying SuperValu Stores nationwide,' he explained citing Áine’s Chocolates, Charlene’s Wholesome Pantry Range, Moran’s Homestore jams/relishes, Drumully Boxty, Jennings potato bread and recent World Record breaker Barry John sausages as some examples.

Charity Fund

In 2016, the store launched the Tarpey’s Charity Fund Collection whereby it matches donations given by customers to selected local charities. 'Our wine and food Christmas night is also another success story that we hope will grow bigger year on year, this year St Christopher’s Hospice were beneficiaries of that event,' added Mr Lyons.
Mr Lyons also points out that they were also rated as the best supermarket in Cavan Town when Check Out magazine sent their investigator to visit all supermarkets who make up Tarpey's competitors.

Excellent staff

Mr Tarpey also has the highest praise for his staff.
'They say the biggest asset of any business is its people, this is so true! Over the last two years every staff member, management, and of course myself went on specific off-site training courses, college and IMI. We now have fully trained people who not only give exceptional customer service but also helpful advice on recipes and cooking tips. Experts like our fishmongers, butchers, bakers, off licence and our new florist are always on hand.”
Mr Tarpey adds that the highest standards of best practice are in place in relation to fresh food handling, storage and hygiene procedures. Julie Packingham achieved an honours grade in EIQA Hygiene and Management.
'She has overseen our store this year, which led to us achieving a mark of over 90% from EIQA Ireland and emerald status - the highest level in food hygiene and management in the country,' said Mr Tarpey.
Other members of the team include Daniel Drwal, fresh food manager; Natalia, fishmonger (far left); Kenneth, craft butcher; Karolina, speciality deli expert; Inesa, head baker; Martin, produce expert; Tomasz, head chef in the store's own restaurant-style coffee shop; John, protein and provision expert; Evgney, dairy and frozen expert and Sandra, in-store florist.
'Natalia, our fish cooking expert has the expertise to tell you our customer how to prepare and cook fish. She has introduced new dishes in our 'Prepared by Fish Monger Range' and has increased our range to 35 different varieties. Also she is happy to source any fresh fish products you may require,' said Mr Drwal.

Thank you

Most of all, Mr Tarpey is so thankful to all the store's customers over the past 14 years. 'You have continually supported us and helped build a supermarket we can all be proud of. We look forward to continuing to serve our customers and community in the future.'
To mark the success and say thanks, Tarpey's are inviting customers to join them in store this Friday, April 28, to meet the experts. They will provide delicious food and refreshments for you to enjoy. Also, CORU-registered dietician Eimear Mahon will be in-store from 12-4pm on the day providing information on the benefits of the store's health and wellness section and to answer any questions.
Customers can also keep an eye on the store's Facebook page for updates, competitions, WOW offers and more at @tarpeyssupervalucavan.