Footfall up at Donohoe's Centra in Belturbet

There is a new entrepreneurial energy in Belturbet these days and proof of this comes this week with the news that Donohoe's Centra at Erne Hill is winning the sterling price match battle. The big jump in footfall is a clear indication of this new reality. There is also an impressive jump in sales at the Top filling station attached to the supermarket, where petrol is on sale at €1.25.9 a litre and diesel €1.15.9. The footfall here is up 400 per week. Shoppers into the supermarket have jumped by 500 a week and this has proved very encouraging for the manager, Stephen Finnegan. The value on offer is now really making a decided impact on the minds of shoppers. The general manager of the Donohoe's Supermarket Group, James Masterson, said they had promised to have a package of low prices that would be stronger than anyone else in the area, right throughout the year. With the shopping race to Northern Ireland dramatically curtailed, outlets like Donohoe's Centra in Belturbet are hoping that the Quinn Group remains intact, so that thousands of vital jobs are maintained in the area. James Masterson told The Anglo-Celt this week that it is imperative for all businesses in this region that the Quinn Group remains vibrant. "All his staff support our businesses and many other businesses in this whole region. Any loss of employment at the Quinn Group would have a very adverse effect, not alone on the workers themselves, but many businesses depending on their spending power." He is of the view that if people are left with less money, their spending power is diminished and shops will suffer to a very significant degree. James Masterson said they confronted the whole cross-border shopping issue head on and the sterling price match has constantly ensured the most comprehensive range of offers throughout the store. "There now a change in shopping patterns - people are shopping with a focus on existing offers and all new ones being initiated. Forty per cent of all products sold last year in supermarkets in Ireland consisted of special offers," he revealed. The key word for shoppers now is value for money at all times and they are glad to be in a position to keep all these offers on the shelves. James Masterson pointed out that they led the way on the sale of Easter eggs over the past number of years and customers snapped up three eggs for just €3.50. They have also introduced a new range of Melbourne cakes from the Melbourne Bakery in Cavan. The group will be introducing €1 and €2 deals throughout the store and this will effectively mean permanent low prices. Mr. Masterson said the low prices in-store is also a way of rewarding all their customers for their loyalty.