Athboy retailer appointed to MACE national council
John Flanagan, Operations Manager of McCormack Group MACE Stores; MACE Athboy as well as Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan, has been appointed to the MACE Retail Council (MRC) for 2013/2014, after being nominated along with 11 of his peers from across Ireland to represent MACE’s 240 independent retailers in developing the Group’s overall strategy and policies.
The MRC is a representative body of MACE forecourt and neighbourhood retailers encompassing urban and rural-based stores. The MRC operates on a voluntary basis whereby the elected members meet with the management of MACE’s parent company, BWG Foods, throughout the year to discuss matters of relevance to the wider group.
Managing Director, BWG Foods (owners and operators of the MACE brand), Willie O’Byrne, said: “The MRC is a consultative forum whereby elected members directly contribute to, and shape, the future direction of MACE. By representing the views of the wider retailer network, the Council performs a vital role in the development of group strategy and offers practical advice on the implementation of group policies.
MACE retailers are independent business people who live and work in the area so the MRC members are in a position to help us better understand the issues and opportunities facing people on the ground, ensuring we make decisions that support our individual retailers and the betterment of the brand overall.
'I want to congratulate John on being elected to the MRC and I wish him well in the role. I would also like to thank the outgoing Council members for their dedication and valued contribution to the MRC over the last two years,” he said.
John Flanagan said: “I am delighted to be appointed to the MRC as I have great enthusiasm for representing the suggestions, opinions and advice of my colleagues at a national forum. It is exciting to be part of a growing brand like MACE but we continually have to improve the quality of our offering, service and standards to local customers if we want to retain that position. It is therefore important that retailers take the opportunity to be part of the overall brand strategy and I’m honoured to be able to contribute over the next two years.”
The McCormack Group has been trading for eight years and in MACE Lower Bridge Street since 2010. Through their 10 MACE Stores the McCormack Group employs 107 people, 11 of which are employed in Athboy as well as supporting local suppliers and various community initiatives. MACE Athboy was one of 8 McCormack Group MACE stores which were also recently presented with the prestigious MACE Excellence Award, along with the coveted EIQA (Excellence Ireland Quality Association) Q Mark, for maintaining the highest standards in retailing.