We want to make our staff and customers feel valued
Store Managers play a pivotal role in the success of a store, leading and training teams and achieving store targets and overall aims of the business. In our feature profile, NR finds out more from some of the top store managers across the region.
With over two decades as store manager behind him, Leslie Harte has witnessed a wealth of changes within retail. However, for him, the central purpose of the role remains unchanged – providing the best service to everyone coming through the shop doors.
Having started out working in retail when he was 14, Leslie has built up an enviable background in the industry, something which keeps him focused on ensuring both his customers and staff are respected and valued.
Store manager at Simpson’s MyDaily in Antrim, Leslie has sought to make every person who either shops or works at the well-known store feel heard and supported.
Employing 26 staff overall, there are four full-time and 22 part-time and notably, Leslie is particularly proud of their very low turnover of staff.
“We have one woman who has worked here for 30 years and another who has retired after 35 years,” said Leslie.
“It’s a real family atmosphere, we know everyone who comes through the door, and we always take the time to speak to them and find out how they are – that personal touch makes a big difference.
“We cannot compete with the big guys on prices, but we can make the service more personalised and unique.”
Leslie has shown just how much he values and supports his team. When staff member Nicole had the incredible opportunity to compete in boxing at the Commonwealth Games, Leslie made sure she knew the whole store was behind her. He genuinely cares for his staff and often celebrates their achievements both in and outside of their workplace. Over the years, Simpson’s has become a supportive environment where both staff and customers feel valued and encouraged.
Having served his time working in retail management in Iceland and later at Halfords, Leslie returned to the independent convenience trade in 2004 when approached to come back to Simpson’s, where he has been store manager ever since. A notable difference between the roles for Leslie has been the trust and total responsibility afforded to him in his longest-serving position.
“I am managing the business rather than simply running a shop. In the multiples you are taking instructions from management, whereas here I am making the decisions and implementing them,” he said.
“I do everything here, so it’s given me complete autonomy to run the business as I see fit.”
There have of course been challenges along the way, notably working through the pandemic as a frontline worker.
“Managing through covid was a challenge in terms of keeping my staff happy and making them feel valued and safe, of course.”
As changes and developments have happened in the industry, so too have they been brought into Simpson’s, with Leslie and his team keen to embrace as many innovations as possible while keeping true to their core business aims.
“We have evolved over the years and have brought in new lines; we introduced a hot food and deli counter, which has made a big difference to the business, we’ve seen increased footfall and repeat customers from that.
“We put in a new cigarette gantry and display gantry for vape products; we also got a new till system in recently and we installed new refrigeration last year for our drinks,” said Leslie.
“We try to do something every year to keep evolving and improving so we are not standing still. It keeps the place fresh looking for people, if it looks like you care about your shop, it will keep people coming back.”
