Sue McCarthy joined Charlies (with stores in Wales and The Borders) eight years ago as senior buyer, and was one of the six finalists in The Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Retail Employee of the Year Award 2018. Housewares News put five questions to this retail champion:
What do you like most about your job?
“Charlies is a growing business yet it is still small enough for us all to be very hands on. We all get involved with all aspects of the business which means that there is a great deal of diversity to every day.”
How would you describe good customer service?
“Good customer service is achieved by providing the customer with quality products, recognisable brands, competitive prices and knowledgeable and friendly staff in a welcoming environment. At Charlies, we hope to go the extra mile to ensure that our customers have a fantastic shopping experience with us”
What do you like most about housewares?
“I enjoy the housewares supplier base. They tend to be straight talking, open to a bit of wheeling and dealing and are generally a lot of fun.”
What is your best piece of work related advice?
“Always hold your hand up when you’ve made a mistake.”
Top: Sue McCarthy of Charlies.