A Costcutter store in west Belfast has reopened with a new look after being one of the first outlets in Northern Ireland to be updated under Costcutter’s Shopper First transformation programme.

The store, known locally as The Gem, has undergone a major refit and extension using data provided by the Shopper First initiative. The store now features a wider range of food to go and triple the amount of fresh and chilled products, many of which are sourced from local suppliers.

Located close to residential estates and local businesses, the store also boasts a small seating area, Seattle’s Best Coffee machine, Country Choice hot snacks and Otis range of buns.

Store owner Larry Drumm said: “The store has been designed to truly identify the needs of the local community and to offer not just the products they want, but a fantastic shopping experience. As one of the first wave of new-look Costcutter stores in Northern Ireland, we’ve been delighted with the results. The Shopper First dashboard data has been invaluable in shaping the changes we have made to the store and the additional space we’ve allocated to offers which are in high demand from local shoppers.

“The profiling identified food-to-go as a key driver, both for local residents, passing trade and the nearby new leisure centre, which is due to open in July 2019, so this was a major focus for the refit.”

To celebrate the reopening of the store, Larry held a family fun day including sampling, special offers, face painting, balloon making and a drinks reception.