James Finnegan, Retail Graduate at Applegreen

Why did you apply for Applegreen?

As a home-grown Irish success story that continues to expand internationally, I applied for Applegreen to be part of an exciting and entrepreneurial company that is innovating roadside retail on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Applegreen’s Graduate Programme is an excellent rotational programme that caters to a wide range of interests. When I completed my Commerce International degree at University College Dublin, I was uncertain which path in business would suit me best. As part of this programme, I am developing my business acumen and creative thinking skills which will be fundamental in shaping my career in retail

What are you favourite parts of the programme?

My favourite part of Applegreen's graduate programme is the learning and development opportunities. Through the completion of two diplomas, a business challenge, leadership lunches, team building, as well as a mentorship and buddy programme, I believe that Applegreen's Graduate Programme is providing me with key transferrable skills to excel my career.

What is the culture like?

Applegreen fosters a collaborative, transparent, and approachable culture, nurtured through an open-door policy which actively encourages dialogue and discussion irrespective of position or title.

Additionally, through leadership lunches and the mentorship programme, we are exposed to senior leaders, allowing us to build connections and receive guidance and feedback, which has been invaluable in this early stage of my career.

What do other graduates/new starters enjoy when they start working here and what do they find most challenging?

The fast-paced nature of Applegreen's work environment is appealing to many people. As markets evolve, customer expectations change, and the business expands internationally, a clear sense of entrepreneurial passion drives the business, which many people enjoy and find contagious when joining the company.

With entrepreneurship at its core, autonomy and ownership are integral to Applegreen's way of working. Those who are unfamiliar with the responsibilities of leading a project or team may find this intimidating. However, Applegreen's collaborative and approachable culture bridges this gap through consistently developing its people throughout the business.

How have you found the training and development?

The training and development initiatives offered by Applegreen have been both enjoyable and insightful, allowing me to learn from industry leaders in areas such as design thinking, negotiation, leadership, and Excel.

The scheduling of training with expert trainers, a bespoke graduate rotation framework, and in-store experience demonstrates the considerable investment of time and resources which Applegreen has given us in pursuit of developing its future leaders.

What are the benefits of starting your professional career in the retail industry?

Retail is a people-oriented and dynamic industry driven by data and ever-evolving market and customer trends. In any industry, these skills are highly transferrable, which is why retail is an excellent career choice for those seeking to sharpen their skills.

Through collaborating with retail experts, marketing specialists, food scientists, interior designers, architects, suppliers, fuel economists, and traders, working in retail provides a strong and holistic foundation from which almost any professional career can be cultivated.