What’s the team like? There are 387 colleagues, and everyone seems to want to do a good job, which makes the whole operation run smoothly. The managerial and supervisory teams are very stable and consistent - we know what makes each other tick, and what works for customers. We were one of the first stores to get the SmartShop app.
How have employees reacted to the potential base pay rate change to £9.20? They’ve seen the number, done their own calculations, and a lot are very happy with it.
Winner: Sainsbury’s Ringmead, Bracknell
Store manager: Andy Gray
Opened: 1991
Size: 48,000 sq ft
Market share: 17.3%
Nearest rivals: Aldi - 1.1 miles
Morrisons - 1.5 miles
Tesco - 2 miles
Waitrose - 2.1 miles
Store data source: Analysis by CACI. Call the market planning group on 020 7602 6000
The store is coming up to 30 years old. Have there been any revamps recently? We got a sushi bar nine months ago, which has been a popular draw, especially at lunchtimes, and we have an Argos, click & collect section, and a Lloyds Pharmacy. We went through a lot of online changes last year, and now around 20% of the store’s business comes from online. Although it’s quite an old store, it has a modern feel, and we use the space we have very well.
How do you cater for what is quite a diverse customer base? We’ve got everything customers need, from those doing larger shops to those who want to get in and out as quickly as possible. The store sits between two council estates and wealthier surrounding areas, so it’s important to cater to our mixture of budgets. I’ve learned to balance their needs over time.
What would you like to change about the store? If there’s one customer comment I get again and again, it’s whether the store could stock more clothing, so an expanded range would be ideal. There’s more business for us to do with clothing but we just don’t have the space.
What advice would you give to a new manager?
You have to be confident, brave and have plenty of resilience because the job is changing so rapidly. Managers can’t be scared to fall down but have to get themselves back up again.. My biggest challenge as a manager is overseeing our online operation alongside the physical store - both need to be done well. When it comes to online shopping specifically, you have to make sure customers’ orders are accurate and delivered at the right time, as well as serving customers that come into the store
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