There were great celebrations recently when Kavanagh’s SuperValu in Claremorris was named ‘Best Small SuperValu Store of the Year’ at the SuperValu National Conference which was held in The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney.
Winning this coveted accolade recognises the exceptional standards of the Kavanagh’s SuperValu store which underwent a €2 million revamp last year. The Co. Mayo store employs 70 people and is very active in supporting local community groups as well as being a champion of local suppliers. SuperValu stores throughout the Republic of Ireland were assessed and adjudicated by independent competition judge and retail consultant Matthew Brown. The judging process focused on key criteria such as product range and innovation, store presentation, fresh food offering, sustainability, customer care, and store quality and hygiene standards.
Speaking at the awards, SuperValu managing director Ian Allen congratulated Kavanagh’s SuperValu and the other award winners, while Matthew Brown commended them for their “world class” standard of retailing excellence. Kavanagh’s SuperValu, Claremorris store manager Damien Hall says winning the ‘Best Small SuperValu Store of the Year’ award was a testament to its team of dedicated staff and the support of its loyal customer base.
“We were both surprised and delighted to win the award,” he enthuses.
“We weren’t expecting it because of the calibre of opposition we were up against. There were three other fine stores in our category so it means a lot to us and our town. This award is down to our brilliant team of employees who make the store what it is. We have to go the extra mile with everything because of the competition we face from other large retailers in what is a small country town at the end of the day. We had a staff night out to celebrate the win.
“I’d also like to thank our customers for the support they’ve shown us over the years. They inspire us to keep providing fresh, local produce along with the very best in customer service and shopping experience.”
Kavanagh’s SuperValu, Claremorris is one of 11 SuperValu stores within the Kavanagh Group. Fronted by Noel Kavanagh Snr and Noel Kavanagh Jnr, the Group’s other stores are located in Westport, Castlebar, Kiltimagh, Moycullen, Barna, Clifden, Donegal town, Buncrana, Dungloe and Ballybofey. The Kavanagh Group also operates a Centra convenience store in Derry and four Budgens retail outlets across the UK. In addition, the Kavanagh family own the Wyatt Hotel in Westport.
Established in 1952, the Kavanagh Group is a family of independently-owned local businesses which are committed to providing their customers with great service and quality products. They believe this can only be achieved through working together. That’s why they provide the support and services needed for their local managers to run stores in the heart of their community.
The award comes at an exciting time for the Claremorris store which underwent a complete revamp in 2022. The new-look store features products from The Happy Pear and Signature Taste ranges as well as Taste of Local produce which complement the store’s existing range of everyday staple goods along with top-quality fresh foods. Kavanagh’s SuperValu prides itself on its fresh produce, exceptional service and commitment to local jobs.
All fresh meat, fruit and vegetables are locally sourced and can be traced back to the farm where they were produced. Unlike many other big supermarket chains which operate in this country, SuperValu is Irish-owned and enjoys a wonderful relationship with its customers. At Kavanagh’s SuperValu, staff are on first-name terms with many of their customers.
“Our business has increased significantly since the revamp,” Damien explains.
“We have full deli, fish and meat counters, an instore bakery and café as well as a post office. The bakery has been especially busy since it was relocated to the front of the store. Our Signature Taste section showcases our local producers and suppliers. We have also installed new sustainable refrigeration along with new counters and shelving throughout the store.
“We remained fully operational during the revamp which took three-and-a-half months to complete. We literally worked day and night to keep things running smoothly. But it all proved worthwhile in the end.”
Damien is supported by a top-class team which includes fresh food manager Teddie Molloy, grocery manager Aíne Grogan, HR manager Evelyn Cawe, deli manager Catherine Quinn, head butcher Stephen Collins and head baker Michael O’Brien to name but a few.
“It’s a real team effort,” he stresses.
“We have 70 people working here who put their shoulder to the wheel on a daily basis. For example, Catherine Quinn, Stephen Collins and Michael O’Brien have over 85 years’ combined experience between them. This award wouldn’t have been possible without that kind of knowledge and experience.”
A quantity surveyor by profession, Damien’s passion for retail drew him back to where it all started with the Kavanagh Group in his local store in Castlebar as a 16-year-old in 2002. After completing Kavanagh’s trainee management programme in 2015, he worked as assistant store manager in Castlebar before taking up his current position in 2020.
“The Covid-19 outbreak happened that year so it was a real baptism of fire. But it was a great learning experience and we got through it in the end,” he reflects.
As proud long-standing sponsors of the GAA Football All-Ireland Championships, SuperValu is committed to inspiring the next generation of GAA stars. Through this sponsorship, SuperValu and the GAA bring together in true partnership two of the country’s most community-focused organisations. Kavanagh’s SuperValu, Claremorris and the GAA share common values through focusing their approach on relationships, honesty, hard work, achievement and community identity.
SuperValu also sponsors the National Tidy Towns competition and works closely with schools and communities as part of its ‘Save the Bees’ campaign.
Open 8am-9pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 8pm on Sundays, Kavanagh’s SuperValu Claremorris would like to take this opportunity to thank its customers and suppliers for their continued support as well as its staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Kavanagh’s SuperValu,
Claremorris
Clare,
Claremorris,
Co. Mayo,
F12 R3P4.
Telephone: 094 936 2242
First published in Grocery & Retail Ireland magazine Vol 2 No 1, Summer 2023
