SO LONG SUPERQUINN
JOHN KEAVEANEY MOURNS THE DEMISE OF THE ICONIC SUPERMARKET

The tills have finally rung for Superquinn. Founded in Dundalk by Feargal Quinn in 1960, Superquinn was one of the most loved Irish supermarkets, attracting a loyal, almost loving following. Its demise marks the end of an era; an era of unexpected, irrational prosperity. We now live in a less leisurely society with less cash to spare.

As middle-class income declined, families sought the cheaper options of Lidl and Aldi, Tesco and Dunnes. Many felt they could no longer afford the special feeling once exclusive to Superquinn. Stepping into Superquinn was akin to stepping into sunshine: the smell of freshly baked bread, pizzas made to order, French cheeses, salad bars, deli kitchens, continental foods and, above all, a new way of treating shoppers.

Just walking the aisles in Superquinn was middle-class retail therapy filled with delectable treats. Superquinn kept reinventing itself and reinvigorating its customers. Owner Feargal Quinn’s visible presence on the shop floor added to experience. Dunnes and Quinnsworth were grand of course, for people watching the pennies.

But shoppers would pop into a Superquinn shop when they felt the need to feel special. Quinn’s operation grew strongly in a sometimes turbulent environment and it was testament to his strategy. By targeting a more discerning, high-end grocery shopper with innovative offerings, he set the benchmark. His strategy was strongly ‘outside-in’.

Shoppers were consulted regularly. Ideas like removing sweets from checkouts, bag-packing, ‘goof points’, spare pennies at cash registers came directly from its shoppers. Superquinn acted as a child-minding service. Harassed parents could drop their darlings into a paradise of crayons, m