At 9:30 this morning, the newly refurbished Pingo Doce located in the Anadia Shopping Centre re-opened.
With flowers being offered to customers at the entrance and an entertainer drawing attention to the Prize Wheel (for purchases over 100 euros), there was a line of people waiting for the store to open.
By 10:30 the supermarket was full. Comments to the space were positive with many praising the new restaurant area.
Gonçalo Lopes, one of the group’s managers in the district of Madeira, said that, with the refurbishment of the store, the restaurant area was expanded. The fishmonger, bakery, and delicatessen areas have also been improved. Emphasis is also given to the fruit and vegetable section, with a view to promoting and helping regional and national producers.
“Our services are now more efficient, that was our main mission, so that customers can serve themselves better, have their purchases faster and more convenient.” A logic that the official said was also followed to improve the working conditions of employees.
In this regard, Gonçalo Lopes said that 10 new staff members have been employed and the store is looking for more staff. As the official clarified, although there are also more self-service cashiers, this did not mean staff layoffs.
“With the remodeling of the store, we had to get more people, because although we make life easier for customers in a hurry, in a store that has such large volumes of customers like this one in Anadia, we always need staff.
He, however, refused to confirm the amount spent on the refurbishment.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
