MURPHY'S SUPERVALU CASTLETOWNBERE WINS
REGIONAL SUPERVALU OF THE YEAR AWARD

Murphy's Supervalu, Castletownbere Co. Cork has been named one of nine, regional winners in the 2002 Supervalu of the Year competition. The prestigious award was presented to Dermot & Norma Murphy, of Murphy's Supervalu Castletownbere, by Supervalu Sales Director Barry Coffey, John Reynolds, Executive Director. HB Bank who sponsored the Supervalu of the Year awards and Michael Nason, Managing Director, Supervalu, in front of 450 delegates at the Supervalu National Conference in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel, Galway on Monday 11 th March.

This is the first year of the competition and all 174 Supervalu stores throughout the Republic of Ireland were adjudicated as part of the Supervalu of the Year competition. Competition Judge Martin Maloney of the Retail Studies Department at Dublin City University, said of Murphy's Supervalu "This store was most impressive and scored highly in every judging category. Fresh foods - range and layout were outstanding. Hygiene and staff training is second to none and what stood out, most of all, was the degree of customer care and friendliness. Murphy's Supervalu Castletownbere is a valuable asset to the owners, the staff and the Supervalu group as a whole. It was obvious on my visits to Murphy's the store strength lies with the commitment and motivation of a superb team of staff. Everyone in the shop had a genuine interest in the business and in making the customer feel valued".

Accepting the award, Dermot Murphy paid tribute to the commitment of the staff and said their constant dedication and professional approach was what singled out the West Cork supermarket for the regional title. Dermot Murphy also acknowledged the support of his management team and the guidance of Supervalu regional manager Leo Flynn in the drive to win the top retail award.

When asked about the store's prestigious win, Ray Lee General Manager, of Murphy's Supervalu Supermarkets, explained that in their business their primary concern is to deliver the highest standards of quality and customer care to their customers, and everyone working in Murphy's Supervalu shares that view. "Everyone working here shares the ambition to be the best and to serve our customers to the best of our ability. We feel that we have a good working relationship with the staff. This creates the relaxed atmosphere in the store, which, in turn, passes on to the customers. No matter how good a store is, if the staff have not got the right attitude, the business is not going to realise it's potential".

Commenting at the conference, Michael Nason, managing director of Musgrave Supervalu/Centra, said, "the company is extremely pleased with its performance in 2001. Supervalu Stores such as Murphy's Supervalu, work hard to comply with the standards Supervalu believe as a group, are important to our customers such as hygiene, food safety and customer care. While food technology and retailing has become more advanced the fact remains that proper hygiene systems and customer relations are still an essential part of the modem supermarket operation. In Supervalu, the needs and welfare of the consumer are central to the way we do business and our success reflects this customer centred approach". Michael Nason said. 

Pictured with Dermot Murphy are members of the full time staff at
SuperValu Castletownbere.