Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown’s status as a flagship supermarket operation for the Musgrave group in Dublin was underlined when the bustling, ultra-modern Moriarty Group owned store was shortlisted for no fewer than three 2023 National Grocery Retail Awards. Grocery & Retail Ireland popped in for a coffee and a chat with proud store manager Andrew Cuffe.
Since opening its doors for business on the 8th of December 1988, Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown has established itself as one of Dublin’s leading grocery retail destinations, widely regarded as being amongst the capital’s premier SuperValu outlets.
With the emphasis very much on quality, choice, convenience, freshness, value, sustainability and of course customer service, Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown also makes an invaluable contribution to the local community through an array of sponsorships and other initiatives.
The status this industry-leading store commands at the heart of the community and further afield, as well as the exceptionally ambitious standards of customer service consistently delivered seven days a week, were very much in the spotlight when Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown was shortlisted for three prestigious awards at the 2023 National Grocery Retail Awards night in November.
The fact that Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown made the final three nationally in the Retail Store of the Year Large Supermarket; Ireland’s Best In-Store Off-licence; and Excellence in Fresh Food Retailing in a Large Supermarket categories is indicative of their uncanny ability to invariably achieve exceptional levels of excellence on a consistent basis across all facets of the store.
A complete store delivering the ultimate shopping experience to the demanding shopper of today, whether they are dropping in for some fresh food on the go, a newspaper, or a weekly shop of groceries!
Store manager Andrew Cuffe was thrilled that Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown’s dedication to retail excellence, the local community and customer service were recognised on the treble: “It’s nice to be in that company and to be ranked alongside the best stores in Ireland. We were delighted with all three nominations and that recognition shows that all the hard work has paid off. It was a great achievement for the team to find ourselves in the same company as other top stores nationally.”
The trio of nominations reflects the fact that Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown excels in all areas, not just one. “To make the top three of three tough categories, is very satisfying,” Andrew continues. “And the fact that a mystery shopper assesses the stores is a real testament to our staff, who always look after all customers. It’s a great boost for the team when you get these accolades.”
Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown has seen many revamps over the years with its latest relaunch taking place as recently as March 2023. The store, which has grown in size over the years in response to local community needs, prides itself on customer service and fresh food, with more than 80+ staff dedicated to retailing excellence. A full off-licence, kitchen, semi-scratch bakery, and post office have all been added since SuperValu Palmerstown first opened for business 35 years ago.
The Moriarty’s Fresh range signifies the Moriarty Group’s commitment to locally produced quality. Every product is created and packaged by their specialist chefs on a daily basis. All foods are made to meet the exacting requirements of local shoppers, whether they are looking for a ready meal, mouth-watering cakes, or freshly prepared meat from the store’s experienced and skilled foodservices experts.
Furthermore, for events like communions, confirmations or birthdays, Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown – an award-wining member of the Musgrave Group’s acclaimed Food Academy – has a specialist catering team to create the perfect cake, meal, party platters or snacks.
“Fresh food is front and centre of the experience here,” Andrew confirms. “We provide a vast range of fresh produce, and our deli and bakery are well-known near and far. Our cakes are extremely popular, and we have a really knowledgeable butcher team who has over 60 years’ experience between them. The meat counter is five metres long and is full of vibrant colours and delectable meats from weekend roasts, stuffed pork, or sirloin steaks to stir fry’s and marinated chicken. All the bakery and deli staff are experienced and highly skilled while we insist on the highest quality when it comes to ready meals or food on the go.”
Healthy eating is a priority to both Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown and their legion of loyal customers. “People today are moving fast, and some don’t have time to cook. When they come in for food, you make sure the quality is there and at the right price,” says Andrew. “You have to give them good, nutritious, healthy food that tastes great.
“There’s a gym next door on the premises and we are big into health foods here. We developed a concept area in-store called; ‘Gym & Go’ which has been a major hit with our customers and we prepare a range of protein salads, which are extremely popular. You have school children coming in every week morning and it’s extra busy at lunch time. Fresh food is a massive part of what this store is all about.”
Including a spell as caretaker manager, Andrew has been store manager at Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown for two years. “I came in at the start of a major revamp to bring the store up to the very highest standards of performance, service, and sustainability. We’ve always been a progressive store and have always met the highest standards – my goal is to ensure that we maintain those standards.
“Since we relaunched on March 26th, 2023, the store is much more welcoming and inviting with a better ambience. It really is a flagship modern SuperValu store that is spacious, bright, clean, and tidy with a natural brightness and a warmth that makes it a nice shopping environment.”
“We are extremely happy with how things are going and that is all down to the wonderful staff here. We have a large team, led by Brian Carrick, General Manager of the Moriarty Group, and I’m also supported by an assistant manager and two trainee managers.”
The local ethos shines bright at Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown, as Andrew confirms: “Over the past 35 years and counting, the store has become integrated into the local community. With the post office located in the store, it’s a great hub for meeting and greeting, especially for older members of the community. They like to come in and we make them as welcome as we possibly can.
“As the business is dependent on the continued support of the local community, which we appreciate enormously, we like to give back to the community. We sponsor St Pat’s GAA, the Palmerstown active age association, the local Tidy Towns, local schools and a variety of other events and bodies. We are always here to help out the community in any way we can, as a way of saying ‘thank you’ and giving something back.”
And before we left Palmerstown we got a word from James Moriarty, Retail Director Moriarty Group: “I am delighted with the achievement from the team. I feel that the ethos from all those years ago when Luke opened the doors in Palmerstown, we have kept with tradition while adding to the shopping experience keeping customers at the forefront.
“I feel privileged to work with the staff here, lots of them I have known from my time coming in the door as a toddler all the way up. It’s a family run shop, with families at the heart of it and I hope we can trade for another 35 years plus going forward in this great community.”
Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown,
Palmerstown Shopping Centre,
Kennelsfort Road Upper,
Dublin 20.
Tel: 01 6260646
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.moriartygroup.ie/supervalu-palmerstown.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MoriartysSuperValuPalmerstown
First published in Grocery & Retail Ireland magazine Vol 2 No 2, Winter 2023/24
Moriarty’s SuperValu Palmerstown
