In the Šariš region, the Milk-Agro store on Čapajevova Street in Prešov won the store competition. We talked about it with the store manager, Mrs. Iveta Perželová, and her deputy, Mrs. Mária Lopuchovská.
Did you expect to win in your region?
I. P.: Not really, I was even shocked, you can see it in the photo from the award. I did not expect it; I was really surprised.
M. L.: Maybe it also mattered that three of the saleswomen have been working here for a long time, so it shows in the result. But we were all pleasantly surprised.
What did you especially focus on?
M. L.: We have a bonus on vegetables and SABI products, and I think we worked very well with it. We constantly used it and even took risks.
Bonus?
I. P.: That means the store has the option to decide on discounts on some goods. For example, we gave some discount and risked taking more goods, for example, 80 kg. And we nicely displayed and arranged everything. The customer notices it more easily and buys.
So this work is not just routine; it requires creativity...
I. P.: Yes, it requires inventiveness. If we want sales to grow, we must have not only enough goods but also everything around it – display, replenish, offer...
How many years have you been doing this?
I. P.: Last September, it was already 20 years that I have been here.
M. L.: I have been here for 19 years.
So you were also on the list of long-term employees?
I. P.: Yes. At first, I worked as a saleswoman, then the team changed, and the then manager chose me as deputy. The manager was later transferred to another store, so I became the manager. It has been about 15 years.
M. L.: I became the deputy manager, and we have been working together for about 15 years. During this whole period, we never argued; on the contrary, we knew we could always rely on each other.
That is not quite common...
I. P.: From the beginning, we have a rule not to leave unfinished work for the second shift. Neither "papers," nor unloading goods, nor unresolved customer requests.
M. L.: Good relationships at work contribute to a positive attitude toward work. For example, when I had a vacation, I was then normally looking forward to work.
Finally, why do customers like to come to you?
I. P.: Definitely mainly because of SABI products. They contain live probiotic cultures, which are beneficial for the body, for the digestive system. And they are not only healthy but also nutritious and tasty.
M. L.: And we have a large store; customers can also find meat, vegetables, and other products here.
