Tesco chester le street sandra richardson

Source: Alan Gibson Photography

Winner: Tesco, Chester-le-Street

Store manager: Sandra Richardson

Opened: 2003

Size: 30,000 sq ft

Market share: 11%

Nearest rivals: Aldi - 0.3 miles, Iceland - 0.7 miles, Morrisons - 0.8 miles, Sainsbury’s - 0.9 miles

Store data source: Analysis by CACI. Call the market planning group on 020 7602 6000

Were you familiar with the store before you became manager? I’ve been a manager for 12 years but I’ve worked for Tesco for 36 years, and was the grocery trading manager here from 2003 to 2006. When I came back as manager four years ago it was really nice because I knew a lot of people. There are still 44 people who were here on day one, so there’s a good atmosphere in the store.

How do you think the new Clubcard Plus will impact on the store? Staff here have known it’s coming for a while and are quite excited about it because they get to join up as well when it launches. We have plenty of people here who do their big shops with us, and I think having more incentives for them is going to be a good way of keeping their loyalty. I’m also impressed by the deals you get on things like F&F and mobile.

Do you think your older customers are comfortable with using apps like Clubcard Plus?  I do think there’s a mixture. Some of the older customers are into their technology, it’s not just the younger ones - although of course some are not too fond of it.

Our mystery shopper was impressed with the cleanliness of the store - how important is that for you as a manager? It’s really important. We have a brilliant cleaning team and it’s something that we stress a lot, the importance of the store being neat and tidy. It’s great that has been recognised.

What do you think shoppers make of the general election? I honestly haven’t had anyone talking about it. I think most of them are just a bit fed up with politics at the moment.

Are you looking forward to Christmas trading? It’s my favourite time of the year, although it is hard work. I love the way the atmosphere changes in the store - there’s a real family atmosphere at that time of the year.

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