Galway Advertiser 1996/1996_05_30/GA_30051996_E1_016.pdf 

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Craughwell Growing with Galway
Retailing in Galway has undergone dramatic changes in the last fifteen to twenty years, this transformation has never been more obvious than in Electrical Retailing and to the forefront of this market one name stands out - that of Michael Craughwell of the Craughwell Electrical Superstore. Michael Craughwell started thriving business. out in business just IS years ago but in that time has One of Michael's greatest 'blazed a trail' in electrical interests is that of music with which he continues to retailing. have a strong association A native of Salthill, he was through the role of educated in St. Enda's Director of Entertainment Primary School and later of the Galway Interna Colaiste Einde which he tional Oyster Festival a was to leave at the ripe age position he has held for the of IS to start a long and last 7 years, having very successful business brought some of the finest career. Michael first started international cabaret artists with one of Galway's oldest to Galway. only their own business but, as the years have witnessed, the trading areas in which they have been located. The early years in Quay Street were marked by Michael's involvemnet in the then 'very small scale' Quay Street/High Street Festival which has now become such a successful feature of Galway life. As one of the founders of this festival, he has constantly promoting the benefits of what were to many die forgotten streets of Galway. "There were times there when it seemed that Galwegians knew little of expanding a shop and improving customer facilities - it was an expan sion brought about by sheer demand from our custom ers". CHANGING TRENDS It was Michael's ability to recognise shifts in shopping trends combined with keeping abreast of the latest US and European retailing trends saw him open his first branch in the City's newest Shopping Centre the Eyre Square Centre specialising in the growing home entertainment market. 6 years later and reflecting the revolution in the hi-fi and Television and Video markets, brought about by the introduction of high technology, this shop has now been transferred to the Craughwell Electric

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established hardware stores, Naughtons of Shop Street Having completed his apprenticeship in the electrical department, he took up a position as Area Sales Manager with Hoover Ireland and subsequently as National Sales Manager with the Nilfisk distribution company with whom be continues to have a solid working relationship to mis day.

Marking the IS year success story which is Craughwell Electric, Michael gave a wide ranging interview to die Galway Advertiser on whats in store for his customers in the future as well as reflecting on developments in the trade over the years. QUAYSTREET

the High Street and Quay Street area, but look at it now, highly regarded worldwide as the 'Latin quarter' of Galway which has spawned some of the most successful cultural, theatrical and musical venues in the country and all of which are operating side by side with equally successful businesses', be says. "Ve were delighted to have been part of and involved in the development of the area over those early years, years which saw us embark on our first experience of

Since opening their first shop in Middle Street in A family man, Michael is 1980 and his subsquent married to Ann (nee move to Quay Street O'Mailey from Cross in Michael and Ann have County Mayo) who takes a been involved more or less full time in promoting not very active interest in the

give them an opportunity of seeing what appliances were like in a built in While retailing throughout setting here in our specially America and Europe designed Built-in Display continued to adapt to the area", he continued. new 1990's focus on the Customer, Galway itself The comprehensive was expanding and chang selection now includes the ing rapidly. In a move specialised, which astounded many semi-professional range of merchants and experienced appliances suited to the property advisers, Michael growing number of quality took the decision to develop Bed and Breakfast estab the first electrical retail lishments dotted around the superstore on the Headford City, a development which Road - a move which was has seen Craughwell watched with great interest Electric involved in and has since seen several advising would-be opera Superstore at Terryland businesses move to similar tors on the appliances best suited to their needs. Retail Park Headford Road, locations. Designers, architects and where it occupies a specially designed display The traditional shopping developers continue to areas in the City centre consult Craughwell Electric area. were being developed to on these new developments. Michael intends maintain cater to the growing ing his links with the Eyre numbers of people moving "These semi-professional Square Centre which he around at their leisure and appliances, while larger regards as "one of the most the smaller more portable than standard domestic desirable shopping centres type of goods were becom appliances are manufac ing a major feature of these tured to serve the difference in the country". shops. in scale of a Bed and "With an increasing number Breakfast to that of an of shoppers coming from ordinary family home", he all over the City, County said. and the region, we realised that we had to be able to The range at Craughwell offer them not only the Electric includes the now widest possible range of familiar two door, Ameri electrical goods, a high can style refrigerators, standard of customer stainless steel hobs, ovens, service but also ease of dish washers, washing access and car parking machines, dryers and facilities as well as catering canopies, many of which Michael Craughwell to the blossoming hi-fi, are available in both gas "The Eyre Square Centre television, video, satellite, and electric. has been a huge success in mobile phone, audio the inner City and we are accessories and the in-car Our range includes the going to continue to be entertainment market". traditional domestic associated with, and be part products displayed side by of, the undoubted, success "They in rum appreciated side with the 'state of the of this centre which will the fact that we were able to art' television, video, home benefit gready from new display a complete range of cinema, hi-fi, mobile business developments in electrical domestic appli phones and accessories as that area over the coming ances and, for the first time well as a full satellite months". service-we are Sky agents ever in an electrical store,

TERRYLAND RETAIL PARK

in Galway", he said. THE TEAM AT CRAUGHWELL ELECTRIC Headed up by Michael Craughwell, the award winning team at Craugh well Electric comprises some of the country's top sales professional who are on hand to advise and show the leading brands. Michael continues to refer to the fact that as a result of these technological advances a full Home Cinema unit boasting the latest design and technical features such as full surround sound and wide screen-lOOhrtz picture

A n n Craughwell clarity, can now be bought for the equivalent of the 1985 price of a standard colour television. These developments are not confined, however, to the television advances where, nowadays, digital hi-fi and CD technology is standard and within easy reach of everyone's pocket Reflecting the Craughwell Electric commitment to Customer Care and Service, his team have been picked not only for their sales experience but also their ability to advise customers as well as their willingness