Planning for 2019 with Todays
With plans for further expansion in 2019, Retailers Darren and Karen Craig are already looking at ways to capitalise on the growth that their Todays Extra business in Spencer Rd Derry has seen over the past 12 months
“We have had another good year, with sales showing a steady growth from the previous year. Convenience retailing in this part of Derry, has seen some challenges over the past number of years, but we are pleased to be performing well in a competitive market. We have been trading in Spencer Road for the last 13 years and have seen massive changes to customer trends and the mix of our business during that time.
“We have grocery, chilled and fresh food, frozen food, fruit and veg, bread and cakes, hot food-to-go, Robert Roberts coffee, a tasty range of local home bakery products delivered fresh every morning, along with an ATM on site, National Lottery, Paypoint, and Mobile Top-Up”.
Karen also added: “We are known locally as a ‘lucky lottery store’ with hundreds of winning scratch cards over the years, we have a ‘wall of fame’ showcasing our winning cards.”
The store has seen significant growth in chilled and fresh food, fruit and veg, along with its fresh coffee and hot food-to-go.
The shop has seen a recent relay which included the ‘hot food-to-go’ being expanded and relocated for the second time to cope with the ever-increasing business along with an improved queuing system allowing faster service for customers.
Never ones to miss an opportunity, the retailers have expanded their own range of fresh and healthy meal solutions, prepared daily, along with a range of sandwiches, wraps, and baguettes.
Plans are now in place to install a new on-site food prep kitchen to cater for the increased food-to-go business along with allowing to relocate the currently successful healthy range that Karen and Darren have built up over the past two-three years.
“We have also expanded our chilled and fresh food range instore to meet the changing demands and shopping habits of our customers. With the range of over 1,200 products and an extensive promotional programme readily available from our wholesaler Savage and Whitten, the growth in this category has seen the sales of our fresh food business grow vastly over the past 12 months.”
With two new gyms now open and doing well in the local area, this has also had an immediate impact on the mix of the business. Sales of sports drinks, protein bars, and healthy fresh food options have seen massive increases over the past year.
Darren commented: “Although we have a greater range of chilled and fresh food in store, our customers still like to have their treats, so impulse and confectionary sales are still steady.
We were very proud early last year, when our Tayto crisp bap featured on social media and went viral with thousands of hits, although we are still scratching our heads thinking about the ‘next craze’ we can introduce to the Derry area.”
With plans well underway for expansion in 2019, Darren and Karen are excited by what the New Year will bring for their business.
“2018 has seen some challenges in the convenience market and yet we have grown as a business, so we are well prepared for 2019 and the challenges that the New Year brings. It is also important as a retailer involved in the local community, that you meet the needs of your loyal customers and provide them with the best value and service possible.
“With the support from our Todays wholesaler, Savage and Whitten, we are in a good position to have another successful year of growth in 2019 and well beyond.”
