Tesco's Burnham-on-Sea branch was one of three retailers to boast strong availability this week, but it pipped Sainsbury's and Morrisons to the post after providing our shopper with the best shopping experience.
The store was clean, the products easy to find and the staff helpful one assistant even apologised for the two items that weren't stocked. The friendly checkout assistant also asked our shopper if she wanted a Clubcard and offered to pack.
Sainsbury's in Denton had no out of stocks either, but its queue was slightly longer than Tesco's. Our shopper also felt the checkout assistant could have been a little friendlier. But parking was easy and staff were happy to help around the aisles.
Although Morrisons in Brentford provided a full basket, our shopper was not charged for three of the items. The checkout assistant seemed shy and although one assistant was helpful around the aisles, another just pointed at an item without speaking.
A single out-of-stock item let Waitrose in Brighton down. But the store was tidy and the staff seemed relaxed and happy to help. Plenty of tills were open too.
There was a long queue, as well as one out-of-stock item, at Asda in Tamworth. But the polite checkout assistant apologised for the wait and staff efficiently cleaned up a spillage at the till.
Winner: Jo Lewis, trading manager, Tesco, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
What's the competition like in Burnham-on-Sea? It's quite fierce around here because just three weeks ago a Morrisons opened nearby. So we are holding a promotion where customers can get £10 off their shopping when they spend £30 in-store over a four-week period.
Our Clubcard scheme has also helped keep our customers loyal; there has been a huge uplift in shoppers signing up to the scheme since the relaunch earlier this year and they really appreciate the fact they can double up the vouchers.
What has being selling well now it's the summer holiday season? We are located in a tourist hot spot and there are 15 campsites around us. This brings in lots of holiday-makers so our seasonal lines, such as beach towels, wind breaks and lilos, are going down well. Our current food top-sellers include fresh fish, West Country roasting joints and fresh fruits, particularly strawberries.
Last week we had a great alcohol deal where shoppers could get five cans of Carlsberg for £5 when they spent £30. This week they can get three-litre bottles of spirits for £10 each when they spend the same amount.
Do you do much with the local community? Yes, loads. One of the most recent events was four weeks ago, when we held a fruit-tasting session in a local school. We gave the children the opportunity to try exotic products such as passion fruit and dragon fruit. We put a map on the wall to show them where they came from and also told them a bit about each fruit. A lot of kids are not familiar with more exotic fruits.
Tell us about your expansion plans. We have just received planning permission to expand the store. It will be about double its current size, which is great news. But we are only at the early stages and it hasn't yet been decided when the work will take place.
What are your everyday management challenges? Ensuring availability is strong for the customer all day, including the evenings. Also, making sure everything is well presented and staff are motivated. I do this by coaching and supporting them, making sure they have the right information to do their job and by giving them praise and feedback.
The store was clean, the products easy to find and the staff helpful one assistant even apologised for the two items that weren't stocked. The friendly checkout assistant also asked our shopper if she wanted a Clubcard and offered to pack.
Sainsbury's in Denton had no out of stocks either, but its queue was slightly longer than Tesco's. Our shopper also felt the checkout assistant could have been a little friendlier. But parking was easy and staff were happy to help around the aisles.
Although Morrisons in Brentford provided a full basket, our shopper was not charged for three of the items. The checkout assistant seemed shy and although one assistant was helpful around the aisles, another just pointed at an item without speaking.
A single out-of-stock item let Waitrose in Brighton down. But the store was tidy and the staff seemed relaxed and happy to help. Plenty of tills were open too.
There was a long queue, as well as one out-of-stock item, at Asda in Tamworth. But the polite checkout assistant apologised for the wait and staff efficiently cleaned up a spillage at the till.
Winner: Jo Lewis, trading manager, Tesco, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
What's the competition like in Burnham-on-Sea? It's quite fierce around here because just three weeks ago a Morrisons opened nearby. So we are holding a promotion where customers can get £10 off their shopping when they spend £30 in-store over a four-week period.
Our Clubcard scheme has also helped keep our customers loyal; there has been a huge uplift in shoppers signing up to the scheme since the relaunch earlier this year and they really appreciate the fact they can double up the vouchers.
What has being selling well now it's the summer holiday season? We are located in a tourist hot spot and there are 15 campsites around us. This brings in lots of holiday-makers so our seasonal lines, such as beach towels, wind breaks and lilos, are going down well. Our current food top-sellers include fresh fish, West Country roasting joints and fresh fruits, particularly strawberries.
Last week we had a great alcohol deal where shoppers could get five cans of Carlsberg for £5 when they spent £30. This week they can get three-litre bottles of spirits for £10 each when they spend the same amount.
Do you do much with the local community? Yes, loads. One of the most recent events was four weeks ago, when we held a fruit-tasting session in a local school. We gave the children the opportunity to try exotic products such as passion fruit and dragon fruit. We put a map on the wall to show them where they came from and also told them a bit about each fruit. A lot of kids are not familiar with more exotic fruits.
Tell us about your expansion plans. We have just received planning permission to expand the store. It will be about double its current size, which is great news. But we are only at the early stages and it hasn't yet been decided when the work will take place.
What are your everyday management challenges? Ensuring availability is strong for the customer all day, including the evenings. Also, making sure everything is well presented and staff are motivated. I do this by coaching and supporting them, making sure they have the right information to do their job and by giving them praise and feedback.
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