Top winners at Top Spot 

The owners and staff at Top Spot Fruit Mart at Aspley Hypermarket are over the moon with the recent announcement that they are the Brisbane Markets Fresh Tastes Retailer of the Month for November. T

op Spot are no stranger to awards, having won Fresh Tastes Retailer of the Month in July 2006 as well as a number of Aspley Hypermarket centre awards including ‘Excellence in Retailing’, ‘Best Store Presentation 2007’ and ‘Retailer of the Year 2006.’

Owners Barry and Debbie Haskins have been in the fruit and vegetable industry for just over six years and have worked hard to gain the confidence of their customers and the wholesalers at the Brisbane Markets.

“It’s a very difficult industry with the weather having such a huge impact on the variety and quality of produce available, but I just love the challenge,” said Mr Haskins.

Barry and Debbie both boast strong retailing and customer service backgrounds previous to owning the popular Aspley fruit and vegetable store. Debbie Haskins in particular has taken up the cause of educating her customers on how to purchase seasonal produce.

“Buying produce in season is the key to quality and price. It is also the reason why customers will continue to come back to the shop. If you buy a rockmelon in August you will be disappointed with the flavour and quality and think the store can’t provide quality fruit,” said Mrs Haskins.

“You should be buying strawberries and mandarins in August and leave the rockmelons until the warmer months. If you buy in the right seasons you will never be disappointed.”

Brisbane Markets’ Fresh Tastes program is a Brisbane Markets initiative to encourage excellence in fresh produce retailing. Participating retailers are provided with point of sale materials, in-store competitions, e-newsletters, development sessions, promotional opportunities and mystery shopping.

A mystery shopper visits their store twice throughout the year for the Retailer of the Month and Retailer of the Year awards. More than 150 independent fruit and vegetable retailers throughout South-East Queensland participate in the Brisbane Markets Fresh Tastes program.

Brisbane Markets Marketing and Communications Manager, Ann-Marie Johansen said the Fresh Tastes program meant customers were the winners, with greengrocers like Top Spot Fruit Mart offered support to develop their staff’s customer service skills and their ability to supply the highest quality fruit and vegetables.

“By being part of the Fresh Tastes program our retailers demonstrate their commitment to excellence in produce, service and continual improvement which means a great shopping experience for their customers,” Ms Johansen said.

Top Spot Fruit Mart is located in the Aspley Hypermarket at 59 Albany Creek Road, and is open seven days a week.