What is the most successful idea you’ve ever tried in your business?
The best thing I’ve done to increase sales was to buy the post office down the street and bring it into the store. Sales went up 10% overnight.
What is the best advice you have received?
Treat yourself as you would like to be treated by others.
Who is your retail inspiration?
Growing up in a working class part of Northern Ireland, I’d have to say Lord Sugar. He was an inspiration to all youngsters who wanted to work for themselves because everything he touched seemed to turn to gold.
What do you think is the biggest missed opportunity that independent retailers should cash in on?
A lot of retailers are not in a buying group and I think if you buy well, you sell well. If you’re not in one, you are missing out. We have access to so much information at the touch of a button through Musgrave.
What’s next for your business?
A lot of police stations in Northern Ireland are being sold off so we are proposing to buy the one next door to the shop and turn it into a car park and expand the shop. I trained as a chef so I would love to open a coffee bar-café. Being at the centre of the community is important to me. In terms of training, we are going from a sub-post office to a main post office in January so the staff will need to be re-trained to run it
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