Leathley’s Quality Fare has ramped up its training programme and enrolled all 540 staff in courses.
Commercial manager Philip Horsfield said it will be mandatory for staff to take part in a matrix of courses which make up Nisa-Today’s Lifelong Learning programme.
These include induction, along with a specialised course based on a member of staff’s area of responsibility.
Areas covered include health and safety, store security, chilled food, fruit and vegetables, food hygiene and customer service.
Horsfield said the training programme would deliver increased productivity, improved staff morale and better retention.
He also revealed the chain will open its 20th store this week, selling non-foods only.
A 6,500 sq ft site opposite its flagship store in Bedale, Yorkshire, will sell a range of items from fine china to DIY.
Horsfield said: “We can get excellent margins on non-food but there are some things people just won’t buy from a supermarket shelf.”
He added: “We were not exploiting the full potential of the non-food market by dabbling in it in the supermarket.”

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