Andrew Davidson visits the C& C three times a week but had a visit with a difference a couple of weeks ago.
Holmes Cash and Carry and Nisa-Today’s held a prize draw for Holmes’ customers and Davidson’s name was picked out of the hat at his local depot.
This meant Davidson won a digital camera and was entered into a trolley dash, competing with a handful of other retailers at the Ballymena depot, where he had to try and collect the greatest value in his trolley in 60 seconds.
And just to make sure the retailers could move around swiftly, former Olympic champion sprinter Linford Christie was on hand to help.
Davidson came second, picked up a fantastic £1,000 prize, and was still smiling two weeks later.
Another prospect which should keep him smiling a little longer is the plan for his first fortnight family holiday in five years. One of the benefits of
selling his old shop in Belfast, and moving to the new one outside the city in Comber (The Grocer, January 24, p28) was that it came with a member of staff capable of running the store in his absence.
“It means we can have two weeks off instead of a few days with the phone always ringing,” he says, and his holiday in Spain is already booked.
In the store, business has cooled off slightly, not because of the bad weather but because the two neighbouring schools have started their summer holidays. Always looking to add value to his business, Davidson is considering adding an ATM. “I’ll rent it first to see how it goes, and then if it is a success I’ll buy one,” he says.