Retail News|October 2013|www.retailnews.ie|55
Costcutter Store of the Year 2013
Aaron Massey, Costcutter Rathfarnham, celebrates winning the Costcutter Foodmarket Store of the Year Award 2013 with Barry Group MD, Jim Barry.
Kevin Rice, General Manager, Amber Oil Head Office, receives the Costcutter Forecourt of the Year Award for Costcutter Fermoy from Barry Group MD, Jim Barry.
environment, our value, our promotions, our systems and our cost base. We need to focus on what we can do as opposed to talking about what we can’t do or achieve.” Calling for an “honesty attack”, he urged Costcutter retailers to perform an analysis of both their businesses and themselves, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. “Even for the best run store, there is room for improvement,” he stressed. “The worst thing that may happen is that you will end up with a better plan for your business.” Nationwide Chill Distribution The Awards also saw Barry Group announcing plans to launch a nationwide chill distribution solution, representing a capital investment
of €1m for the company, in a move which is expected to yield up to €200m in business over the next five years. “Our retailers now have the ability to place orders
Michael Fitzpatrick, Costcutter Kilmihil, Co. Clare, is pictured accepting the Costcutter Express Store of the Year 2013 from Jim Barry, MD, Barry Group .
at their fingertips using the latest technology,” Barry noted. ”They have the full solution to make one complete order, which will arrive as one delivery, cutting out the time wasted on managing numerous deliveries by various suppliers. There is also the added advantage of a three-day a week delivery service.” The introduction of the centralised chill distribution solution will result in significant increases in sales and profit margins for Costcutter retailers. These increases will be generated through better buying, cost and time efficiencies while also incorporating a new intuitive IT system, called BEACON (Barrys Easy Access Control Order Network). BEACON has a number of advanced options, such as
Jim Barry, Barry Group MD, presents the Award for Costcutter Foodmarket Wine Department of the Year to Eugene Carney, Costcutter Ballyhaunis.
providing the retailer with information on top selling products across the Costcutter network of stores, up-to-date Recommended Retail Prices (RRPs) and the ability to set-up repeat orders; all aimed at allowing retailers to streamline the order process and concentrate on other elements of their business. The reaction from current Costcutter retailers has been enormously positive, while the interest already expressed by independent retailers has led Barry Group to be confident of adding up to 25 new Costcutter franchises in the coming year. “I see chilled distribution as a vital ingredient to the long term success of both your stores and our wholesale business,” the MD explained. Chill distribution will see the delivery of 2,500 products to Costcutter retailers in the first three months and this range will be increased to over 3,000 after that time. This includes a broad range of private label goods chosen to meet consumer demand. Barry also highlighted other Barry Group solutions, such as their deli, bakery and coffee concepts, and their Point of Sale/ Equipment Pop Up. He highlighted how the team at Barry Group are continually fine-tuning how they approach their busi-