Symbol group special: Londis
Conor Hayes, Londis sales director says the company's priority is is retailers, every time....
Print10 August 2017
HQ: BWG Foods, Greenhills Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Distribution network: National Distribution Centre servicing fresh, ambient and alcohol to stores nationwide
Number of stores nationwide: 130+
Colours: White, green and orange
Tagline: Local Like You
Website: www.londis.ie
Twitter: @LondisIreland
Average store size: 200sq m
Wholesale partner: BWG Foods
Conor Hayes, Londis sales director
Londis has a long tradition in Ireland, and prides itself on being the most established convenience brand in the country. As such, the company is equally proud of the exceptional relationships it has had with retailers throughout that time. The company describes itself as a partnership of retailers, business customers and suppliers, which always strives for excellent customer service and to recognise the value of two-way communication.
“Our priorities in our business are the Londis retailers,” says Conor Hayes, sales director for Londis. “They are the men and women from all corners of the country with whom we do business every day of the year. It is our aim to develop long-lasting business relationships with these retailer partners.”
Wholesale approach
Every group has a different wholesale policy for its retailers, and for Londis that centres on BWG’s vast National Distribution Centre in Kilcarbery, Dublin. Since Londis became part of the BWG family in 2015, its retailers have had access to this vast and bustling distribution centre, which supplies Londis retailers with all of their ambient and chill product seven days a week, 365 days a year. “This means that our retailers are better serviced than ever before,” says Hayes.
Feedback
Londis established its National Council of Londis Retailers, an advisory body of eight retailers. The members are nominated by fellow retailers and represent all store formats within the group as well as geographical areas across the country.
“The National Council of Londis Retailers plays a key role in the success and development of the Londis brand,” says Hayes. “As part of their role as council members, the eight retailers aid in the development of the overall Londis brand strategy and policies by regularly meeting with management of BWG Foods, owners and operators of the brand in Ireland.” Hayes says that Londis retailers’ views are vital to the council members, and all of the group’s retailers are encouraged to provide any and all feedback they would like addressed to their local National Council member.
The future is online
Londis is excited about the advancement in technology solutions, the internet and all things digital – especially how it is going to benefit and shape the grocery retail business over the coming years. “We are launching a deli ordering app called Londis Snack Track Deli App,” says Hayes, “which will be available to download from iTunes or the Play Store in the next few weeks.
“Customers will be invited to pre-order from the deli and avoid the long queues, especially at lunch times,” Hayes reveals. “We hope that Londis customers will find that this simple solution will provide convenience and save precious time throughout their day.”
Further to this step into the online space, Conor Hayes says that Londis encourages innovation in every aspect of the business, and is constantly moving to exceed customer expectations. Only this way will the group be able to meet their future needs.
With this in mind, BWG Foods has recently launched a new feature-rich ecommerce solution called ‘Shoplink’, bringing the best of B2C technology to a B2B platform. Retailers will be able to use Shoplink to place orders 24-7, review the full BWG product range, choose from promotions and avail of deals. In addition, Shoplink is fully integrated with EPOS systems in-store and also with the BWG warehouses, allowing live updates of sales and purchase history.
Rising to challenges
“Irish consumer confidence is growing,” says Hayes, “but cautiously. We know consumers are still scarred from the recession so while they are willing to spend a little more money they are very aware of how they have had to tighten the purse strings over the last number of years.
“We aim to gain our customers’ trust so they know when they come to shop in a Londis store they are getting value for their hard earned money. Londis has been engaging in numerous sponsorships throughout 2017 including adventure series Hell & Back and RTÉ’s Londis Tastes like Home with Catherine Fulvio is order to connect with our customers and instil confidence in our brand.”
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