MBR SEPTEMBER ALL LR

Malta Business Review
ECP 2017
SUPERMARKET LAUNCH
Malta Business Review
MEPs present the European Citizens' Prize 2017
to the Għaqda Każini tal-Banda
DAVEs delivers better
customer experiences
After a long, hot Summer of festi, where
Maltese band clubs are the core of every town
and village celebration, the Għaqda Każini
tal-Banda has been awarded the European
Parliament’s prestigious European Citizens'
Prize for 2017.
MEPs Roberta Metsola (EPP), Miriam Dalli
(S&D) and Francis Zammit Dimech (EPP)
commended the deep-rooted role of the
band clubs in Maltese society, highlighting
their invaluable contribution to culture, their
role in the heart of towns and villages where
they serve to educate Maltese youth musically
and culturally, support them in their musical
aspirations and open up their horizons in their
interaction with other European cultures.
Members encouraged the representatives
of the Għaqda Każini tal-Banda, the Maltese
laureates, to attend the European ceremony
of the European Citizens’ Prize to be held in
Brussels on 11th October 2017, to which
all Laureates are invited by the European
Parliament, and pointed out their potential
to be part of European programmes such as
Creative Europe.
“This Prize will raise the level of our activity
Europe-wide, reinforcing and enhancing
our long-standing musical, cultural and
educational traditions”, President Noel
Camilleri stated. “This Prize, this recognition
by the European Parliament which represents
Europe’s peoples, will also help do away
with the undeserved stigma placed on band
clubs by certain parts of Maltese society. As
recognised by the MEPs, we are a core part of
our identity as a nation. We have also come a
long way in our history”.
Maltese MEPs nominated the Għaqda
Każini tal-Banda – on the 70th anniversary
of its founding – for the Citizens’ Prize in
recognition of its role in promoting crossborder
musical cooperation with its twinning
Dr Noel Camilleri, President of the Għaqda Każini tal-Banda, receives the Citizens’ Prize medal from
MEPs Roberta Metsola, Miriam Dalli and Francis Zammit Dimech (l-r)
Group photo of the Executive Committee of the Għaqda Każini tal-Banda with MEPs Roberta Metsola,
Miriam Dalli and Francis Zammit Dimech (l-r) and Anna Zammit Vella, Press Officer of the European
Parliament Information Office in Malta
agreements with other European towns and
villages and enhancing in Maltese society the
European values of tolerance and solidarity.
Moreover, Maltese band clubs are drivers of
societal engagement particularly for youth
and women and help reinforce ties across
generations, MEPs said.
Since 2008, the European Citizens’ Prize
has recognised projects and initiatives that
promote EU values, mutual understanding
and facilitate cross-border cooperation.
The European Citizens' Prize Laureate from
Malta will join laureates from the other 27
EU countries at the European Parliament in
Brussels for the European award ceremony.
Background
The European Parliament’s Citizen’s Prize
The European Citizen's Prize was launched by
Parliament in 2008 to recognize exceptional
achievements by Europeans. The Citizen's
Prize can be given for activities that either
facilitate cross-border cooperation within the
EU or promote better mutual understanding
and closer integration between citizens and
member states. It can also be awarded for
day-to-day activities reflecting the values
enshrined in the EU's charter of fundamental
rights.
Every year, each MEP has the right to
nominate one candidate. Past winners from
Malta include Chris Delicata (International
Diabetes Federation - European Region), Rev.
Victor Grech (Dar tal-Providenza), Puttinu
Cares, Hospice Malta, Richmond Foundation,
and most recently Dar il-Kaptan in 2016. MBR
Credit: European Parliament Information Office in
Malta
Fresh-
Fast-
Convenient
David Grech, owner of DAVEs Supermarket
When Dave’s opened its doors in 2014
shoppers flocked to check out Malta's latest
addition to the supermarket industry. The
awe factor may have worn off, but customer
loyalty is flourishing. Owner, David Grech,
with 20 years in the supermarket industry
says his formula is working. When it comes to
pushing the horizon of Malta’s retail business,
it’s difficult to find a person that dovetails it
better. If there was one mantra I’d associate
with him, it would be “where there is a will,
there is a way”.
Gone are the days when retailers could get
by with a limited and unimaginative product
range. Consumer expectations are changing
rapidly, and with increasing competition and
constantly-evolving technology, retailers are
being forced to up their game. At Daves we
have adopted a new operational three tier
concept namely: Daves Mini, Maxi and Super.
Whereas the Super and Maxi concept will
cater for a wider choice of products and
a more focused supermarket shopping
experience, the Daves Mini concept revolves
around the idea of modernising ongoing
groceries and enhancing their assortment
to better satisfy the everyday needs of their
clients. Daves Mini is the alternative to the
village grocer, providing highly focused one to
one service.
Our focus remains that of being
a good employer, providing
equal opportunities to
our people
From the moment one enters at DAVEs, the
team aims to create a complete shopping
experience that combines best-in-class
quality products, customer service and
store experience. David’s confidence in this
field is resolute. Over the years, Maltese
supermarkets have mushroomed and
prospered, but there have been some
casualties along the way. David knows how
best to look after the business - keep your
finger on the pulse, always be present and
keep the customer happy.
"Daves is a solid business," explains David.
"It is here to stay. I'm not worried about the
competition - existing or in the pipeline -
because I have total confidence in this project.
There is always a staff member on the shop
floor to deal with problems as they arise and
solve them. Any complaints are dealt with
swiftly and amicably,” continued David.
Speaking about the employees David explains
“At Daves we consider our employees as
the most important asset and the face of
our brand. Our people distinguish us as a
caring, friendly and flexible employer that
is focused on supporting our clientele. Our
focus remains that of being a good employer,
providing equal opportunities to our people.
We are steadfast in our committment to
retain a good level of employee motivation
and provide training opportunities to our
people and rewards based on performance.
We believe in an engaged workforce which
ultimately affects customer service and the
success and profitabililty of our business”.
“Hard work and determination are vital
ingredients to a successful way forward,”
explains David. “We thank all our customers
for the ongoing support; we always strive to
bring to our customers the best experience
possible whilst making constant innovations
and improvements to ensure we can achieve
a high level of service”. MBR
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