Annual report & review 2006 - Shopic.com

Different & better – consumers & communities
In the heart of local communities
Paul & Michelle Gravelle, Sawbridgeworth
‘People around here aren’t shy about coming forward,’
says Paul Gravelle of Budgens in Sawbridgeworth.
‘They’ve made it clear that a strong range
of local products is important to them.
And we’re more than happy to oblige.’
Taking an active role in the Town Partnership, the
Gravelles support local charities like the Hailey
Day Centre, a drop-in centre for the elderly, and
Sawbridgeworth Young People’s Recreational Centre.
As well as holding fundraising events throughout the
year, Paul and Michelle allow staff the chance to work in
the Hailey Day Centre once a month.
Some of the brilliant local products Paul
and his wife Michelle have introduced
into the store include Broadoak sausages
and ham, Stoke Farm apple juices,
Saffron Brewery, goats’ milk products, Procter’s sausages
and local eggs. They’ve also introduced organic and
gluten-free products and extended other ranges too,
offering their customers a distinctive selection.
Like many of the new breed of Budgens neighbourhood
retailers, Paul and Michelle regularly invite their local
suppliers to the store to conduct sampling sessions for
customers. ‘It’s a great way of keeping customers up to
speed on new lines,’ says Michelle. ‘But it’s also a good
excuse for people to come together for a natter.’
Paul and Michelle are also part of the Sawbridgeworth
Town Partnership which co-ordinates efforts to improve
the town.
Paul and Michelle are passionate about their business
and its role as the main grocery store in the village.
School Health Initiative
Working with Action Cancer, Centra retailers in Northern
Ireland raise funds and promote a Health Action
programme that has resulted in more than 40,000
children receiving healthy
lifestyle messaging and
incentives since the
scheme was launched in
2003.
The Health Action initiative
is one of a number
of Centra community
outreach programmes
targeting young people.
For example, in 2006
Centra retailers in Northern
Ireland clubbed together
to promote and sponsor
the Cycling Proficiency
Scheme in the region.
This year Centra Finaghy’s
Maurice McGivern
joined Action Cancer’s
Suzanne Patrick to celebrate
Cranmore Integrated
Primary School’s success
in the 2006 Health Action
Awards
10 value for consumers
Our scale enables us to bring value as well as quality to the
independent retail sector. Because we serve around 3,000 outlets, local
independent retailers are able to hold their own in competitive markets.
Every week we compare and pricecheck key weekly shopping items
against the largest multiples.
9 innovation & partnership
We are determined to improve the local shopping
experience through innovation and partnership.
Our SuperValu retailers employ real butchers
and real bakers, while in Great Britain 15 Budgens
stores now include Newitt’s deli counters, offering
the same top quality products available at the
Newitt family’s award-winning store in Thame.
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Musgrave Group Plc Annual Report & Review 2006