Tag: Retail Management

Barry Whelan Excel Recruitment

The Benefits of Benefits for Attracting Great Staff

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

With unemployment at near perfect and retailers large and small struggling to attract and retain good employees, CEO of Excel Recruitment Barry Whelan, discusses how important benefits are for attracting talent.

In 2017, the move from a client-driven job market to a candidate driven job market was completed across all retail sectors. A consistent drop in unemployment coupled with new entrants to the Irish market and a desire for the best talent from Irish retailers drove an unprecedented amount of opportunities across the retail industry. This, along with a return to growth in the wider economy and in particular, the hospitality sector has created a challenging talent environment from which to recruit, with other sectors including retail banking also looking for retailers.

Unemployment currently stands at 6.1% (3.7% Unemployment is ‘Perfect Employment’) so the competition for top talent is fierce and counter-offers are becoming more and more frequent, with employers working hard to keep talented staff

“1/3 of the workforce offered a role, turned it down due to lack of benefits”

While rising salaries are an effective way of both attracting and retaining staff, we’re seeing more and more the importance of benefits. 54% of employees seeking a new job want better pay & benefits while 30% of employees want benefits to increase their loyalty. Savvy employers are looking at the entire package in an effort to ensure retention and a happy, dedicated workforce. Bonuses, employees’ work-life balance and their level of autonomy are key drivers in ensuring staff feel valued and rewarded for their contribution to the business.

Employers are recognising that the decision to leave or stay with an employer is overwhelmingly an emotional decision and are seeking to improve loyalty through benefits. In terms of importance, the big three are most definitely pension, health and holidays. These are followed by flexi-time, flexible working hours, paid maternity/ paternity leave, sick pay scheme, weekend rotation and further education.

So what is coming down the tracks?

The top employee perks for 2017 Glassdoor USA-

IKEA- Paid Paternity for four months

Reebok- On-site gym with Cross fit classes.

Goldman Sachs- Health cover for gender reassignment surgery since 2008

Facebook- Free housing for Interns

Scripps Health- Free pet insurance

Starbucks- Full reimbursement for all workers taking an online BA Degree.

American Express- Parents are given access to a 24-hour lactation consultant, and mothers travelling for business can ship their breast milk home.

Eventbrite- The company offers workers a monthly $60 wellness allowance that can be used on anything from juice cleanses to a gym membership.

Wholefoods Market- 20% staff discount

Gap- Provides free access to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to corporate employees.

Swiss RE- Insurance company Swiss Re’s “Own the Way You Work” program encourages employees to embrace flexibility with their schedules and work remotely.

Southwest- Southwest offers all employees and their dependents access to Clear Skies, an employee assistance program that provides confidential counselling, work/life services, and legal consultations.

Genentech- Genentech offers unique on-site amenities, including car washes, haircuts, childcare centre, mobile spa and dentist.

Timberland- Timberland employees can take up to 40 hours of paid time off per year to volunteer.

Microsoft- $800 towards Gym membership

Deloitte- Two paid Sabbaticals

Amazon- Parental Share. Either Parent can take paid leave if one does not receive paid leave from their employer.

In-N-Out- Free Lunch

Aislinn Lea, Head of Fashion & Non-Food, Excel Recruitment

How to do a great SWOT analysis

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis is a common and important part of job interviews for retail management but often interviewees can struggle with where to start or what to say. Our Head of Fashion and Non- Food Retail Aislinn Lea tells us everything we need to know..

A strong SWOT is a fantastic way of showcasing your experience and skills, along with your commercial awareness and can put you miles ahead of the other candidates. We’ve broken down each section of the SWOT and (provided handy templates) in detail here, but this blog will take you through how to approach you SWOT, what to look out for and what to avoid.

Where do I start?

Preparation is key with a SWOT. Your consultant will be able to tell you what the interviewer will be expecting- how to present it, the depth of analysis required and what store (if there’s more than one) you should conduct your analysis in. It may be a good idea to visit the store two or three times during different trading times to get a full picture of the store’s commercial day. Look at both the store and the surrounding area and visit other stores in the area, to see the differences. Make detailed notes about what you see/ don’t see and if possible, take pictures.

What am I looking for?

Break your SWOT down into the four sections and deal with each separately. For the Strengths section, break it down into store strengths and company strength and then again by customer service, visual merchandising and overall store standards. Deal with the weaknesses section in the same way. This ensures you don’t miss anything and show the interviewer you notice details while being a well-rounded manager.

The opportunities and threats section of your SWOT will come directly from your observations on both the store’s weaknesses and the surrounding area. Split this into short-term, medium-term and long-term objectives with clear, actionable suggestions on how to address/ capitalise on them. The most important thing is to keep store-specific and makes reference to the location, customer profile, local market and nearby competitors that affect the individual store directly.

How do I present it?

This will depend on the company you’re interviewing with, some will want an elaborate and engaging Powerpoint while others will simply want you to have a few notes that you then talk through verbally. Either way, use bullet points rather than chunks of text and elaborate on them at the interview. Have an action plan to hand, discussing how you would tackle what you’ve highlighted in your SWOT and a timeline.

What should I not do?

Don’t be too generic in your analysis and ensure the points you are making are specific to the store and the role you’re interviewing for. Your SWOT analysis should be conducted with the individual store’s location, demographics, resources etc. at the forefront of your mind.

Another thing I often see is people try so hard to not be overly-critical that they end up leaving out key issues. While it’s important not to be too harsh about the business or the brand, if there is an issue the interviewer is aware of but you don’t discuss, they’ll presume you missed it in your observations.

Grocery Management Awards 2018- The Shortlist

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

The Shortlist for ShelfLife Grocery Management Awards 2018 has been revealed! Now in its 13th year, the Shelflife Grocery Management Awards honour the best and the brightest of Ireland’s grocery retail talent. This year’s entrants were of an incredibly high standard and the judging panel was blown away by their commitment to store standards and product and above all, their commitment to both their customers and their team. The winners of the 2018 awards will be announced on Wednesday 23 May in the Citwest Hotel, Dublin 24.See below for the full list of nominees.

Congratulations to all those who have made it this far in the process and best of luck on 23 May!

 

Cash & Carry

Patrick Farrell, Coxs Cash & Carry, Stonehouse, Thurles, Tipperary

Garry O’Callaghan, Value Centre, Lower Carey’s Road Limerick City

Fintan Smyth, Value Centre, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

HR Manager

Eilisheen Donohoe, Donohoes Supervalu, Realta Shopping Centre, Co. Cavan

Ezolda Chambers, Caulfield’s SuperValu, Loughboy Shopping Centre, Kilkenny

Adriana Pacurariu, Griffin Londis, 49 Grafton Street, Dublin 2

Customer Service Manager

Joyce Kinsela, Pettitt’s SuperValu Arklow, Co Wicklow

Laura Butler, Supervalu Lucan, Newcastle, Lucan, Co. Dublin

Ray O’ Callaghan, Marks & Spencer, 6-8 Merchant Quay Patrick Street, Co. Cork

Liz Moriarity , Centra , Urlingford, Co Kilkenny

Anne Morris, O’Gorman’s Supervalu Kingscourt, Co Cavan

Caitriona O’ Brien, Supervalu Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Ciara Nolan, Quinns Centra, Meakstown, Dublin 11

C-Store Delicatessen/ Food to Go Manager

Crystal Reid, Quinns Centra, Road Meakstown, Dublin 11

Cristina Topan,Griffin Londis, Sandyford (Chopped), Blackthorn Road, Dublin 18

Jayson Plazo, Griffin Londis, 49 Grafton St, Dublin 2

Vanessa Monte, Griffin Londis, 14/15 Lower O’Connell Street, Dublin 1

Zlata Vacova , Herlihys Centra, Grand Parade, Cork City

Gary McSweeney, Herlihys Centra, Main street, Mallow, Co Cork

Eileen Hanrahan, Centra Urlingford, Main Street , Kilkenny

Christine Sullivan, Candys Gala, Carnew , Co. Wicklow

Sarah Flynn, McDermotts Auto Stop, Gala, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick

Supermarket Delicatessen/ Food to Go Manager

Annette Emery Donohoe SuperValu, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan

David Neville, SuperValu Knocklyon, Dublin 16

Fyona Hughes, Caulfields SuperValu, Merchants Quay, Cork City

Michal Kaczor, SuperValu Walkinstown, Walkinstown, Dublin 12

Irene Clarke, O’ Gormans Supervalu Kingscourt, Co.Cavan

Tomas Burkiewicz, Talbot Street , SuperValu, 27/31, Talbot Street , Dublin 1

Weronika Rudnicka , Centra Sillogue Road, Ballymun Dublin 11

Sharon Wilcox, Harte’s Spar, Clonakilty, Cork

Mayara Malavazzi, Griffin Londis College Green , Dublin 2

Denise Cummins, Herlihy’s Centra, Patricks Street, Fermoy, Cork

In-Store Bakery Manager

Gwen Culbert, Mulrooneys Gala, Roscrea, Co Tipperary

Madhvee Gooljar, Griffin Londis, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2

Gary Swanton, SuperValu Ballinteer MOPI, Ballinteer, Dublin 14

Aoife Giles, Spar Clonakilty, Clonakilty, Co Cork

Gillian O’Brien, O’Gormans SuperValu, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan

Elaine Porter, Canny & Doherty SuperValu, Carndonagh, Co.Donegal

Jamie Farell, Farrells Costcutter, Co Westmeath

Fruit & Veg Manager

Geraldine Farrell, Pettitts SuperValu, Enniscorthy, Wexford

Niall Cassidy, Donohoes SuperValu Ballyconnell, Cavan

Aine Mc Govern, Donohoes Ballinamore SuperValu, Main Street, Ballinamore, Leitrim

Paul Cullen, SuperValu Ballinteer, MOPI Ballinteer Avenue, Dublin 16

Jack Harnett, SuperValu Lucan, MOPI , Co. Dublin

Bart Mendyk, SuperValu Donabate, Co. Dublin

Margaret Kelly, O’Gorman’s SuperValu Kingscourt, Co Cavan

Off-Licence Manager

Paul Coleman, Griffin Londis KCR, Terenure, Dublin 6

Peter Hamilton, Pettitts SuperValu, Saint Aidans Shopping Centre, Co. Wexford

Ben Murphy, Pettitt’s SuperValu, Arklow, Co Wicklow

KillianClarke, Supervalu Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Margo Lynch, O’ Gormans SuperValu, Kingscourt, Co Cavan

Robert Mooney, Supervalu Sutton Cross, Baldoyle, Dublin 13

Protein/Provisions Manager

Kevin Caldwell, SuperValu Donabate, Dublin

David Hanlon, SuperValu, Northside Shopping Centre, Dublin 15

Lewis Mitchell, Caulfield’s Of Malahide SuperValu, Malahide, Co. Dublin

Noel Lynam, Twohig SuperValu, Kanturk, Cork

Ciaran King, Caulfields Supervalu, Loughboy Shopping Centre, Co. Kilkenny

Jason Mcdonagh, Supervalu Lucan, MOPI, Lucan, Dublin 22

Kieran Fitzsimons, O’Gormans Supervalu, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan

The Largest Format Store

Mateusz Klis, Tesco Portlaoise, Laois Shopping Centre, Co. Laois

Ian Lynam, Supervalu Lucan, Co. Dublin

Paddy O’connor, Supervalu, Ballinteer, Dublin 16

Ger Joyce, Supervalu Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

Gary Redmond, Tesco Swords, Holywell , Swords, Co. Dublin

Eileen Armstrong, Blackrock Frascati Shopping Centre, Co. Dublin

Derek Geasley, Iceland Galway , Doughsika Road, Galway

The Second Largest Format Supermarket

David Harper, Iceland Tallaght, New Bancroft, Dublin 24

David Murphy, Tesco Park Pointe, Glenageary Road Upper, Co. Dublin

Gerard Healy, Twohigs SuperValu, Kanturk, Co.Cork

Sinead Maguire, Donohoes Ballyconnell SuperValu, Ballyconnell, Co.Cavan

Simon Farrell, Talbot Street, SuperValu , Dublin 1

Michael Mc Govern, Donohoes Ballinamore SuperValu, Co.Leitrim

Gemma Dillon, O Gorman’s SuperValu, Kingscourt, Co Cavan

The Third Largest Format Supermarket

Sean Mcbrearty, Hegartys Centra, Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Sligo

Hugh Brophy, Caulfield’s Of Malahide, SuperValu, Co. Dublin

Brendan Fitzgerald, Tesco Shannon Banks, Ardnacrusha Road, Co Limerick

Simon Champ, Herlihy’s Centra, Patrick Street Fermoy , Cork

Anthon Russell, Iceland Tralee, The Horan Centre, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Marcin Rokosz, Brosnans Centra Schull , Cork

Fiona Reilly, Donohoes Centra, Erne Hill Shopping Centre, Cavan

James Conway , O’sullivan’s Centra Innishannon, Cork

Large Forecourt

Kevin Forde, Daybreak Dungarvan, Daybreak / Topaz, Dungarvan, Waterford

Denise Mchugh, Delaney’s The Trading Post,Mace, Headford, Co Galway

Brian Joyce, Galway Plaza, Spar, Athenry, Galway

Aiden Hennigan, Caseys Londis Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Yvonne Duffy, Maxol/Mace Newport Road, Westport Co. Mayo

Lisa Kenny, Daybreak Drumgoold, Enniscorthy, Wexford

Agnis Punculs, Maxol/Aramark/ Mace, Ballycoolin Industrial Estate, Dublin 15

Small Forecourt

Patrick Hanlon, Hanlon’s Gala Service Station, Co Longford

Mandy Mcguire, Gala Oakpark, Oakpark Road, Co. Kerry

Michael Kelly, Candys Gala/ Top Oil , Carnew, Co. Wicklow

Martina Webb, Griffin Londis KCR, Terenure Road, Dublin 6w

Lorraine Reape, Delaney’s Castlebar Mace, Moneenbradagh, Castlebar, Co Mayo

James Dobbs, Cullen’s Gala Service Station, Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford

Matthew Monaghan, Xl , Salthill, Co. Galway

Jerry Brady Kings Gala Ashbourne Co Meath

Large C store

Luke Flood, Centra Herlihy’s Centra Bishopstown, Cork

Mohammad Hossain, Griffin Londis, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8

Krish Martin, Griffin Londis, Sandyford, Carmenhall Road, Sandyford, D18

Jason Moore, Centra Shankill, Rathsallaght, Co. Dublin

Thomas Cashin, Noone’s Centra ,Annacotty, Co. Limerick.

Greg Kuderski, Herlihy’s Centra Millstreet, Millstreet, Cork

Edwina Donnellan, Donnellans Centra /Texaco, Ennis, Co. Clare

Akter Hossain, Griffin Londis, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2

Medium C-Store

Sandra Nicholson, Gala Louisburgh, Louisburgh, Co Mayo

Declan Glackin, Canny & Doherty Supervalu, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal

Sarah Mcnab, Quinns Centra, Sillogue Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11

Graham Donnelly, Andbro Dundalk, Co. Louth

Brian Torley, Londis Maynooth Students Union, Maynooth Universit, Co. Kildare

Brendan Bernes, Spar Riverside Mulhuddart,, Dublin 15

Dean Hand, Hand’s Daybreak Clerihan, Co. Tipperary

Richard Quinn, Quinns Centra, Road Meakstown , Dublin 11

Small C-Store

Nick Ye, Griffin Londis, Beacon Court, Sandyford, Dublin 18

Daniel Gherca, Griffin Londis Colemans, 8/9 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2

Imran Ishfaq, Griffin’s Londis, 14/15 Lower O’ Connell Street, Dublin 2

Stephanie O’ Keeffe, Herlihy’s Centra, 53-54, Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork

Ian Leahy, Herlihys Centra, Mchugh House, Grand Parade, Cork

Shane Kelly, Gala Camden Quay, Cork City

Niamh O’Grady, Filans Centra, 25 Castle St , Co Sligo

Philip Doran, Griffin Londis College Green, Unit 5, College Green, Dublin 2

Abdullah Saghir , Griffin Londis, 49 Grafton Street, Dublin 2

The Best Team Performance

Mulrooneys Gala, Roscrea, Co Tipperary

Filans Centra,Castle Street, Co Sligo

Harte’s Spar, Clonakilty Co Cork

SuperValu, Castletroy Shopping Centre, Co. Limerick

Omni Simply Food, Marks and Spencer, Santry, Co Dublin

SuperValu, Ballinteer Shopping Centre, Dublin

SuperValu, Lucan Shopping Centra, Dublin

Twohigs SuperValu, Kanturk, Co. Cork

The Griffin Retail Group

Brand Sales & Merchandising Team of the Year

C&C Gleeson

LR Suntory

Ampersand

Diageo

Mondelez

Heineken Ireland

Coca Cola

JTI

Solv-X

John Player

Brand Marketing Team of the Year

Coca-Cola

Essity Ireland Ltd

Bord na Mona

Heineken Ireland

Mondelez

Diageo

Unilever

Fulfil

Mars

Largo Foods

Best Field Marketing Team of the Year

PepsiCo (Walkers)

Largo Foods

Nestle

LR Suntory

Diageo

Heineken

Aryzta

Coca Cola

Britvic

Valeo Foods

 

Excel Recruitment | Salary Survey 2015 | Retail Industry Management

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

You will find the 2015 Salary Survey from Excel Recruitment at the link attached Salary Survey 2015 – PDF.
We have compiled this guide which is supported by data from the best Retail Managers across the country. I remain confident that the Grocery, Non-Food & Fashion, as well as FMCG Industries will continue their resurgence and 2016 will be a year of continued growth. Barry Whelan // October – 2015