Milk-Agro stores compete annually for the best store in their group. One of the winners is the store labeled OC Galéria in Košice. We talked with the manager Silvia Bernátová and her deputy Žaneta Weisová about how to win the year-round competition for the best store of 2018 and gather enough points for first place.
How long have you worked in this store?
S. B.: I have worked in grocery stores before, and for the past ten years, I have worked for Milk-Agro. I am glad to sell mainly their quality products and that people appreciate them, as our sales show (laugh).
Ž. W.: I have worked in this store for five years, started here, learned about the products, served as deputy manager, and still do.
Is the team large here?
S. B.: We have four saleswomen and a steady database of part-time workers. You know, working with saleswomen is challenging today, but we were lucky to form a great team here, and with it, we handle even difficult tasks.
Was winning the competition difficult?
S. B.: No, it wasn't. It will be much harder to keep the top spot next year...
What helped you win?
S. B.: From customer feedback, we understood that they see our store as a family business. We talk with our customers, listen to their joys or worries, and know many by name....
Ž. W.: Our regular customers notice who is on vacation, who they haven't seen for a while, who smiles more or less at them... And mainly, they know they buy quality Slovak products in our store. Often, we order goods on request for our customers, and they appreciate it. For example, if they want special ice creams in winter, we order them, and they are happy (laugh)...
The company also helped you win...
S. B.: ...last year, we got new cooling display cases for the store, which allowed us to expand the offer mainly of Sabi products for our customers. That definitely worked. The counters are now more spacious, visible, and more practical for customers when shopping.
So there is demand for Slovak products...
S. B.: We often encounter people asking where the products are made, whether in Slovakia... We no longer debate whether our plain yogurt is the best... it simply is the best, and customers gladly buy our yogurts, both plain and flavored...
Ž. W.: Overall, I can say people come to us for several reasons... Most often because they like to choose proven products with only the best experiences. The number of those who come to save time and shop quickly is growing. They know where and what to look for with us and prefer personal communication... Or they forget to buy something elsewhere...
>Your successful store confirms the usefulness and popularity of even small stores if they are well managed and customer-friendly. We wish you loyal customers and an increasing number of stores.
