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Trading Intelligence
Service with a smile: Aisling (left) and Marie Kenneally of The Central Sports Store, Kanturk
Shop name: The Central Sports Store
Location: Kanturk, County Cork, Ireland
Owner: Francis & Marie Kenneally
Opened: August 2005
Affiliation: STAG
Number of staff: 3
Speciality: Personal service and special requests for the sporting needs of our local and surrounding areas.
Not a lot of people know this about my business, but ….
The Central Sports Store evolved five years ago from a small sports section that was growing too big within our drapery store, The Central Stores, an established family business celebrating 55 years’ trading this year.
How is business at the moment?
The improved weather this year and the schools being on summer holidays has made a difference. People are in better form when the sun is shining. There is definitely shortage of cash out there. We are in sale at the moment and customers are keen for good value for money. The resurgence of the GAA season continues to be a boost to business at this time of year also. Overall we are feeling the pinch like everyone else, but we endeavour to do our utmost to order any special requests.
What has been the greatest success for your business over the past 12 months?
We cater for a vast array of sporting requirements and accessories, and popularity in brands and ranges changes from season to season. If we were to pinpoint a particular range, the County GAA replica jerseys and leisurewear has been very good since its 2009 launch.
What recent supplier initiative has been successful?
We are relatively new members of STAG, having joined in January this year. With the next buying show taking place in October in Ireland we are hopeful that this will help us to make new contacts. It would be good to see more Irish members involved.
What will be the biggest challenge for your business over the next 12 months?
Some days are more challenging than others and this coming 12 months will be no different. If we can strive to continue to give good service, quality, value and customer satisfaction, we will be doing a good thing to make these challenges a bit easier.
