Supermarket chain Asda has gone into partnership with a Co Tyrone butchery business in a deal which could create at least 100 new jobs across Northern Ireland.
Asda announced today it was trialing a new ‘in-store’ concession concept with Dungannon-based McGee’s Butchers.
Under the partnership McGee’s, which already runs independent outlets in a number of shopping centres, will take over responsibility for the butchery counter in the Asda at Westwood in west Belfast - rebranding it under the McGee’s logo.
The move will create five new jobs at the supermarket with Asda staff being offered the chance to transfer and the firm looking at rolling out the concession to other supermarkets within its Northern Ireland network.
Designed to complement the existing pre-packed meat range in each supermarket, Asda said the McGee’s concession responded to customer demand by offering value-added, farm quality assured meat, sourced from NI farmers - with a significant proportion coming from McGee’s own farming business in Dungannon.
“This is a positive and progressive move for the local retail sector offering a prime NI butchery business the opportunity to grow alongside the province’s most popular supermarket,” said John Deasy, NI Manager of Asda.
“We’ve listened to our customers and know that locally sourced food is a priority, but value, quality and excellent service are also so important to them - and this is exactly what we’re offering through our partnership with McGee’s.
“We’re delighted to launch this new concept in our hugely popular Westwood store and know that our local customers will view this as a great development.
It also further highlights Asda’s support for the NI agri-food sector — from farm-gate to checkout.”
Joe McGee of McGee’s Butchers added: “This is a great concept, bringing together the best of both worlds by combining supermarket shopping with local expertise.
“It should be regarded as an important investment in the age-old craft of butchery, offering customers the level of service, experience and advice which they often seek, but which is becoming increasingly hard to find in today’s fast moving retail market.”
PA