Today we start a new series in which business people describe how they and their organisations are adjusting to life After the Boom.

GERRY ANDREWS has been in the retail business for more than 24 years. He owns and manages three Spar shops – two in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, and one in Dunleer, Co Louth.

Mr Andrews says the economic downturn has forced him “to think and act differently”.

“It is not surprising that we have seen a significant shift in consumer demand to price and value. Being adaptable and prepared to adjust our retail offers to suit the changing needs of our customers is the best business strategy we can employ.”

An example of this, which can be seen throughout the Spar network, is a “euro crunch” offer, where a range of everyday products are sold at €1.

“This has proved to be very popular with my customers,” says Mr Andrews. “While the economy has slowed, people’s lifestyles have not become less complicated. Convenience shopping is not a passing fad but is firmly embedded in the retail landscape in Ireland.”

That said, agility is the order of the day, and Mr Andrews has moved to bring in more own-brand Spar products at more-competitive prices.

In common with many smaller businesses, one of the biggest problems he faces from day to day comes in poor access to credit.

“The problems in the banking sector are having significant knock-on effects,” he says.

“Compliance with regulation within the retail sector can also be very onerous in terms of cost,” he adds. The location of one of his shops close to the Border brings problems too.

“As our Louth store is not too far from the Border, we’ve also felt the impact of the price differential created by the weakness in sterling.”

He cites family support as a particular help in his business, with his wife Melanie and his sister-in-law Muriel both involved since he opened his first Spar in 1996.

Tell us your story at aftertheboom@irishtimes.com