Interview with Tracy: location is the key words for opening a Chinese supermarket business

Tracy is the manager of Kwong Fatt oriental supermarket which is the largest Chinese supermarket in Preston. She has already operated Chinese supermarket business more than 10 years.

In this interview, Tracy talked about her personal view, experience for a manager of a big supermarket and pointed out "choosing an appropriate location is the key words for opening a supermarket, meeting customers’ need is also important. Most important, facing the trend of supermarket-style deals and establishes a big Chinese supermarket with Chinese restaurant under one roof is their next plan.”

The Gourmet's exclusive Q&A with Tracy

▇ Q1: Could you please introduce some background information for your business, such as when did you begin the business and why did you choose the Chinese supermarket, not restaurant or takeaway?

A: our shop located near the university was opened since year 2000. The other one located in the market was opened since 2010. Chinese restaurants and Chinese takeaways are everywhere in Preston now, so we are taking the advantage because of this reason open a Chinese supermarket instead.

▇ Q2: How do you think your currently business, satisfied, good or bad?

A: our business is getting better and better as we are located in town centre and in the Preston market. Our target customers are not just Chinese students. We also target on western customers, Thai and Philippine.

▇ Q3: If they were not very satisfied, what is the problem in your mind?

A: the only problem in my mind is finding a bigger shop around this area. As we are planning to open a bigger shop and Chinese fast food restaurant under one roof.

▇ Q4: What are threatens or challenges you gonna facing in your currently business, maybe the financial crisis or the increasing VAT, how did you face them and adapt to survive?

A: we always want to keep customers happy and make sure they will come back and shopping with us. All our products are with reasonable price, we sometimes do special offer to attract more new customers.

▇ Q5: As we all know that, you are supposed to have a lot of competitors in Preston and surrounding area, so comparing to other business, what is your difference, competitive advantage?

A: our shop is in a good location, we are located in the market, near bus station, in town centre, and attract more local people. We have another shop located near the central Lancashire University as well, which is convenience for customers who are uclan students.

▇ Q6: So what are the key words or necessary elements do you think of establish a successful supermarket business in UK?

A: location is the main elements for opening a Chinese supermarket. Meeting customers’ need and requirement is also important.

▇ Q7: Lastly, looking for the future, what is the next step for your business?

A: planning to open more shops in different area. Moreover, according to the trend that consumer demand for supermarket-style deals while dining out is delaying a recovery in the UK restaurant business, we are planning to establish a big Chinese supermarket with Chinese restaurant under one roof in the future.