Secret REI shopper to find out if Lucan is the friendliest place in Ireland to shop

By Maurice Garvey

LUCAN Village is to be promoted as one of the friendliest places in Ireland to shop, under a partnership programme between South Dublin Chamber and South Dublin County Council.

Under the Sustainable Business Programme, a number of businesses have been nominated who exemplify the welcoming nature of the village, for the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2016.

Lucan is representing South Dublin County in the REI Awards 2016, and will face stiff competition from villages around the country for the crown of friendliest place to shop in Ireland, which will be announced in November.

As part of the assessment, five businesses based in Lucan Village will receive a visit from a secret REI shopper throughout the month of July.

Whilst Lucan Village was chosen to represent South Dublin County this year, other villages across the county will be eligible to compete for the REI award in 2017.

Andrea Carroll, Sustainable Business Programme Manager with South Dublin Chamber, said: “REI were looking for local authorities to nominate local businesses. For this year, we chose Lucan, as we identified businesses in Lucan under the programme.”

“Five different independent retailers in Lucan Village have been nominated, ranging from a bicycle shop, bakery, coffee shop to pharmacy. The idea for us is to promote local businesses. There will be some communication between the REI and the Lucan businesses prior to the secret visit, which could take place in July.”

The Sustainable Business Programme arose out of the successful Economic Profiling Survey in 2014, which provided detailed quantitative data on future training requirements for businesses in the county.

REI is a not-for-profit organisation and with over 1,600 member companies, is the largest retail industry body in Ireland.
The awards recognise and reward retail stores, websites, individuals and suppliers who deliver exemplary standards within the Irish retail industry.