Sainsbury's Hamilton: Grocer 33 Store of the Week

How do you ensure you maintain high levels of service and availability at such a busy time of the year? It takes some ­serious planning! It’s all about making sure colleagues are trained and everyone is scheduled. And in terms of availability, it’s the same as the rest of the year - making sure we have the right products at the right time and in the right place.

Have you taken on any new staff for the festive period? I’ve had 20 newcomers in the past two months, but they are ­permanent colleagues. They’ve been fully trained and buddied with existing colleagues.

What Christmas activities have been taking place in your store? For colleagues, we’ve been ­running quizzes in the canteen since 1 December, as well as karaoke and an advent calendar where someone wins a prize every day. For customers we’ve had carol singers in. This weekend, the Salvation Army will be in the store, and next week a local school big band.

What Christmas products have been selling well? Taste the Difference mince pies are really popular, as is Taste the Difference Blackcurrant, Elderflower & Cassis Jelly. That is really selling well, probably because it is a bit different. Last weekend we sold out of decorations; we had some really nice colours this year. And I’ve only got about 12 Christmas jumpers left out of about a thousand.

What will you be concentrating on after Christmas? Building on what we’ve already got. I’ve got absolutely fantastic colleagues here and we all want to be the best we can. I’m absolutely over the moon we won the Grocer 33 this week, but it’s not because of me, it’s because of my colleagues who are amazing and are always delivering.

What’s your take on the current state of the UK grocery ­market? It’s extremely difficult for the whole market. We’re going through a massive period of change that I don’t see stopping or changing.