Retail News|June 2016|www.retailnews.ie|31
BIM Young Fishmonger 2017 supported with another trip to Holland as part of his prize, to work with one of Holland’s premium fishmongers, who then visited and coached George in Dublin. “Now I have a wide range of value-added products that my customers love, and it’s really boosted my sales,” he enthuses. “I’ve also started selling fried fish in my Blanchardstown store, and it’s been a real hit with the customers. All these new ideas help to drive my business forward and it’s important that fishmongers are constantly on the lookout for new ideas.” and the Supermarket Seafood Counter category will be announced at an awards ceremony in Dublin in November. Prizes will include a two-day cookery course at the world renowned and award winning Rick Stein Cookery School in Padstow, Cornwall, a monetary prize fund and a specially commissioned trophy. BIM will also support the winners with training support in advanced product skills and business mentoring. Previous winners James Kirwan of East Coast Seafood, Naas, Co. Kildare; Gerard Collier of Fisherman’s Catch, Clogherhead, Co. Louth; and current winner George Stephens of The Fish Market, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, have all benefited from the competition and used their win to effectively develop and promote their businesses as well as enhance their own skills. “Winning the BIM Young Fishmonger has been a really positive development for our business,” explains George Stephens. “The award increased our profile, attracting new customers to our three stores in Mullingar, Blanchardstown and Maynooth. As a result of the business and training support I have received from BIM, it has been and continues to be a real boost for me personally, my wife and business partner, Anne, and our wider team.” Innovative Thinking George was particularly delighted with the BIM trip to the Netherlands in 2015. “I was really taken by the wide range of value added seafood on offer,” he recalls. “Dutch fishmongers differ from many Irish seafood establishments, as they offer a much wider range of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products than fishmongers in Ireland, which tend to have a larger fresh fish offering.” George believed that there would be a demand for similar products amongst his customers, “so I chose a few of the best ones, and started experimenting with them”. This was
George Stevens, BIM Young Fishmonger 2016, pictured in his store in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
Pictured are previous winners: James Kirwan of East Coast Seafood, Naas, Co. Kildare; Gerard Collier of Fisherman’s Catch, Clogherhead, Co. Louth; and current winner George Stephens (centre) of The Fish Market, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
Growing Demand for Seafood Consumers have become more knowledgeable and interested in where their seafood comes from and they turn to their fishmongers to guide them when purchasing. Product knowledge and passion for seafood is essential to drive sales, encouraging customers to try new types of seafood or just sharing simple seafood cookery tips. In recent years, as the Irish economy begins to recover, there has been a growth in seafood shops and counters opening across the country. This shows a growing demand for seafood, sourced both from Ireland and further afield. It is heartening to see many of these shops being opened by young entrepreneurs, bringing new energy and ideas to the sector. With modern busy lifestyles and competition from other proteins, it can be a challenging market. However, there are many positives which seafood has to offer, not least the wide variety of species, tastes, price points, how quick and easy it is to cook, as well as its many health benefits. With new energy, new ideas, innovative products and a passion for seafood, it is clear that the Irish seafood sector has an exciting future, and the BIM Young Fishmonger Competition rewards and recognises those who are driving excellence in this field.