Tesco Riverside, Dundee: G33 store of the week

Congratulations! This is your second win in just over a year. Yes, I remember it was Easter Saturday last year. It’s great to get the Grocer 33 award again.

What are you doing so right? We’ve really concentrated on improving customers’ experience of the shopping trip and on service.

You beat all the other stores on availability. How much has head office helped? The range reset has really helped. It’s been about making sure we’ve got the right range and the right price and I think there’s been a vast improvement. The range we sell is more simple and we’re definitely much sharper on price. Our customers are definitely commenting more on how prices have got better rather than about reductions in the range. The launch of the Farm brands has really helped make us more competitive too.

Has anybody mentioned the concern over them being ‘fake farms’? We’ve had one or two people ask about it but once we explain about the concept behind it they understand and what they really appreciate is the great value.

You have an Aldi and Lidl just a mile or so up the road. How bloody is it? We have a lot of local competition. There’s a Sainsbury’s and two other Tesco Extras as well as Aldi and Lidl. I say to my staff it’s about concentrating on getting our offer right.

What has happened in store since you last triumphed? One thing we’ve done is to launch same-day click & collect. If customers order before 1pm they can collect their goods the same day. There’s not exactly been a tremendous rush but it’s about being part of an overall offer for customers.

Are you enjoying the sunny weather in Scotland? Yes, we had a hot weather plan and pushed the switch a few days ago as it’s been great. We’ve been selling lots of barbecues and charcoal. Sadly for me I’ve been staying in the store, but it’s been hot outside.