Mills Group launches stores of excellence
C-store group focuses on service standards
February 28 2004
UK convenience store operator Mills Group has created 13 stores of excellence, aiming to be keep the group at the forefront of an increasingly competitive market.
Stores of excellence aim to offer availability, service, merchandising and in store theatre are second to none. The stores have been chosen for their geographical location, as sites to train the company’s current team of managers and colleagues as well as future managers as the group expands.
The stores, based across the North East, Cumbria, Humberside and Lincolnshire will also provide front line support to the groups other 71 outlets.
They will maintain and develop the company standards, policies and procedures and act as a benchmark for these standards for all of the stores to achieve within the group.
New training and procedural initiatives will also be piloted in the stores of erxcellence before being introduced across the country.
Dawn Norton, human resource manager at Mills Group, said: “Stores of excellence will give our existing colleagues and new colleagues the opportunities to develop to the next step on the career ladder and to pass on the skills that they have achieved to others. This will result in a multi-skilled workforce throughout the Mills Group.
“As the company expands it is vital that continuity of service is delivered across everyone of our network of stores. Through the 13 stores of excellence all of our other stores will have a point of contact where they can access support and advice with regard to an array of retailer related subjects.”
Nigel Mills, group managing director said: “Investment in our people is vital to maintaining a strong brand and high level of customer service. The stores of excellence programme not only offers the opportunities for career development, but also provides a high quality support network for all of our stores.”
Mills Group has also launched its first radio advertising campaign as part of the development of its national branding.
Following its recent purchase of 27 stores in the West Midlands, South West and South Wales, Mills Group has invested in the campaign as a tool to introduce the Mills brand to these regions.
Nigel Mills said: “As well as creating a new profile for ourselves across the West Midlands and further south we can take this opportunity to introduce a new national brand around the whole country, which has continuity and is informative, but maintains our commitment to local community based shopping.”
