ViVO marks major milestone – one hundredth store opens in Northern Ireland

ViVO marks major milestone – one hundredth store opens in Northern Ireland
The 100th ViVO store in Northern Ireland has opened in Tattyreagh, owned and operated by Laura and Andrew Short, pictured with Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director at Henderson Group, which owns the brand in Northern Ireland.

 ViVO fastest growing retail brand in NI says Henderson Group

ViVO, the convenience store brand owned by the Henderson Group, has become the fastest growing retail brand in Northern Ireland after opening its 100th store this summer.

The £450,000 new build ViVO Essentials in Tattyreagh, County Tyrone, has created 15 jobs in the local area, and provides a host of new services alongside fresh, locally sourced products.

It is owned and operated by independent retailer Andrew Short and his daughter Laura.

Significant milestone

Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director at Henderson Group says the store marks a significant milestone for the brand, which has experienced growth of 56% in the past three years.

“We opened the first ViVO store in Northern Ireland in Ahoghill in 1998 and the brand grew steadily, with 45 more stores opening within ten years. Since 2017, the brand has experienced significant growth with 54 further stores opening in just three years.  There are now over 800 staff employed under the ViVO brand.

“We can attribute the fast growth of the brand to the rise of the basket shop, with more and more shoppers only buying what they need for now instead of “The Big Shop” as it is traditionally known. ViVO caters for those within urban and rural communities, providing essential services and amenities close to home, and local, own-brand and big brand products that compete with the larger supermarkets.”

State-of-the-art

Laura Short, Store Manager of ViVO Essentials, Tattyreagh added; “Our store is a state-of-the-art 1,700 sq. ft store unlike any other in the area, and at this uncertain time, we’re proud to provide new employment in our community as we continue to navigate this pandemic. Local shoppers can also be assured of strict hygiene and safety measures in store following local government guidelines.

Latest tech innovation

“We’re very proud to get the new store over the line and open for our local shoppers. We are providing new services to the area such as Barista Bar coffee, a hot and chilled food deli bar, and extensive array of fresh foods, as well as the latest tech innovation from EDGEPoS Scanning. With services such as National Lottery, Paypoint, free to use ATM, a new six-pump MAXOL forecourt with extensive parking and our very own off licence, the store is a huge asset for the local area, and we’re excited to join the network of independent retailers operating under this successful brand.”