The company Milk-Agro operated three stores in Michalovce. This year a fourth one was added. We spoke with its manager, Mrs. Oxana Jakovčuková.
Michalovce has almost forty thousand inhabitants. Where can they buy SABI products?
We have operations on Masarykova, Špitálska, and Štefanikova streets. Now this store at Hollého street, number 60, has been added.
There are many shops here...
It is a street full of shops, including grocery stores. These premises also sold groceries before, but it was not our store. We acquired this space and underwent extensive reconstruction. The storage space was also adjusted and made more efficient. The entire sales area was fitted with new shelves. It looks modern here, and we arranged the goods clearly. Customers who used to shop for groceries here before are pleasantly surprised. They say they now feel much more comfortable, find it easier to orient themselves when choosing goods, and shop faster.
The store is just starting up...
We opened on May 11, 2018, so three months ago. It is summer, holidays, so full operation is still ahead of us...
But you are well prepared. Shelves are full, staff trained...
Yes, supply works very well, thanks to which we always have fresh products. Especially SABI products, which are in high demand. But alongside our product range, we try to have a sufficient assortment of other manufacturers at attractive prices. So that customers do not have to buy SABI products from us and supplement their shopping elsewhere. We want satisfied customers who buy all the usual things they need here and do not have to waste time running to other shops. And the staff? After agreement with company management, mainly with manager Mrs. Mackulinová, I transferred one colleague from the Masarykova operation, and we selected the others by advertisement with Mrs. Mackulinová. We posted a notice on the door of the store on Špitálska street and decided based on interviews. We had about two weeks for this, but we succeeded.
What do you consider most important when starting a store?
I consider two things most important: contact with the customer and good judgment when ordering goods. So that there is not too little goods and that goods do not stand unnecessarily long in the store. Especially now, during summer heat, we want to offer the customer fresh products at the beginning of their shelf life so they can take them with them on holidays or weekends and do not have to check dates...
Your favorite SABI product?
Definitely blueberry yogurt... (laughs).
We wish you a successful start and many satisfied customers.
