Wallace’s Homevalue was the big winner at the recent United in Excellence Awards, scooping the overall and highly coveted ‘United in Excellence Store of the Year 2023’ award as well as the ‘Best Overall Store Leinster’ and ‘Best Merchant Store Leinster’ accolades.
A family-run, third-generation business serving the community of Wellingtonbridge, Co. Wexford and surrounding areas for over 75 years, Wallace’s Homevalue saw off competition from more than 160 exceptional stores to land the big prize at the annual awards ceremony which took place at Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Golf Resort in Tullow, Co. Carlow on October 12 last, and recognises and celebrates best-in-class offerings, standards and customer service across the hardware industry.
Congratulating Wallace’s on their success, United Hardware Group CEO Paul Candon said: “They have made a significant investment in their store standards and this achievement is a testament to their unwavering commitment to perfection, making them truly deserving winners this year. All our winning members have significantly raised the bar when it comes to excellence in retail and have proven that they are the very best hardware stores in the country.”
Joseph Wallace of Wallace’s Homevalue enthused: “We are delighted to receive the award on behalf of our full team in recognition of their hard work, dedication and determination they have put into ensuring that we continue to grow and meet the expectations of our customers.
“It is our belief that an unwavering focus on customers is what truly sets us apart from others and ensures that our customers know that we are there for them, whatever their needs. For over seven decades, we have built a strong and lasting relationship with our customers to better understand these needs and to provide top-quality service and products within our community.
“Community is very important to us as a family and a business, and we endeavour to give back to charity and deserving causes who work hard every year at raising funds for the betterment of our area. We have successfully run Wallace’s Golf Classic for the last two years in conjunction with our key business suppliers. All proceeds raised on the day are donated between a lot of these charities and area development groups.”
He added: “We previously won the National Octabuild Builders Merchant of the Year Award in 2003, so it’s nice to be back in the winners’ enclosure again.”
The event, which involved the presentation of 34 awards over various key business categories such as paint, customer service, light hardware & DIY, merchanting and best regional store, saw Wallace’s Hardware complete a hat-trick of wins after they were also named ‘Best Overall Store Leinster’ and ‘Best Merchant Store Leinster’. As part of the nomination process, every group member stores across the entire network must comply with a strict set of criteria to ensure that the highest possible standards are continuously upheld. This involves an assessment by Store Operations which also includes an independent mystery shopper audit by an external third party.
Homevalue is one of Ireland’s leading DIY, hardware and homeware groups with a network of over 90 Guaranteed-Irish accredited stores nationwide that are committed to providing the best range of products at the lowest prices. Whether you are building, repairing, improving, furnishing or decorating your home, Homevalue has got you covered. Homeowners, DIY enthusiasts and professional tradespeople alike know that Homevalue means real value and real expertise.
The Wallace name has been synonymous with the Wellingtonbridge business landscape since 1945 when Joseph Wallace and his three brothers, Matthew, Paddy and Simon, set up Wallace Bros which stocked hardware, drapery, meat and groceries all under one roof. Since then, the business has grown almost beyond recognition.
Today, the business is managed by the second and third generations, headed up by Joseph Wallace alongside his brother Willie, sister Chrissie Harpur and her son Ruairí Harpur, and has expanded into five separate entities – Wallace’s Homevalue & Garden Centre, Wallace’s SuperValu, Wallace’s Department Store, Wallace’s Agri and Wallace’s Costcutter. It has been an incredible journey that has seen the five businesses grow to employ over 200 people, 45 of whom make up the team at Wallace’s Homevalue.
In addition, the Wallace family are part-owners of Kilmacow Homevalue & Agri in Co. Kilkenny.
“There were 12 of us in the family and three of us have carried on the business started by our father Joe and his brothers Mattie, Paddy and Simon. Indeed, the ‘Wallace Bros’ sign is still over the door of the original premises where the Department Store is now located, with the SuperValue store and Costcutter service station close by,” Joseph explains.
“The Hardware store operated from the original premises before moving to a greenfield site 22 years ago under the Wallace’s Homevalue banner. We extended the garden centre two years ago, and revamped and created extra space inside the shop as well. We’ve been part of the Homevalue group for over 40 years and stock everything from an anchor to a needle.
“We see ourselves as a one-stop service and retail centre for the local community and for holidaymakers who descend on south Wexford and the Hook Peninsula every year. The sea is right beside us and tourists have often remarked that we’re the best kept secret in Ireland. They can’t believe all these different services are available to them in such a small and quiet part of the country.”
Noel Burke joined Wallace’s Homevalue as general manager in April 2022. Bringing 18 years’ experience in the builder’s providers Retail & Garden Centre arena, he has implemented a three-year strategic plan to develop the trade & heavy build, garden Centre and retail offerings, while also placing a strong emphasis on training and upskilling of existing and new talent coming into Wallaces.
“With our people being our greatest asset, and a key stakeholder in the business, it’s important to look after them and give them the opportunity to build a career for themselves within this exciting industry. They need to be able to see that. We’re constantly developing and growing our employee numbers to secure the future of the business, while setting goals and targets for ourselves to achieve as a cohesive team,” Noel says.
Currently general manager of Joseph Wallace Ltd, Ruairí Harpur, is the third generation of the family business which Joseph Wallace hopes will be around for many more years to come.
“Every business is facing the challenge of succession and we’re no different. What Noel has done with Wallace’s Homevalue is bridge the generation gap with an infusion of young blood in the last year or so. I’d love for the business to be still around in another 70 years,” concludes Joseph, who would like to take this opportunity to thank the great team, customers and suppliers of Wallace’s Homevalue for their continued support.
Wallace’s Homevalue
Coolbrook,
Wellingtonbridge,
Co. Wexford.
Telephone: 051 561113
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.wallaces.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, March 2024, Vol 10 No 3
