Celebrating 50 Years of Service: Marie Johnston Honored at Tesco

An east Belfast woman, Marie Johnston, has been recognized for her remarkable dedication to customer service as she celebrated a notable milestone—50 years in the retail sector. Her journey began with Stewarts in the 1970s, and she joined Tesco in 1996 when the supermarket chain expanded into Northern Ireland.

To commemorate this significant anniversary, colleagues at the Castlereagh Road branch threw a surprise party, attended by former employees and friends. During the celebration, Marie reminisced about her initial foray into the workforce.

“I walked up and down this road with a friend to look for work,” she recalled. “After standing for about four hours waiting to sign on for unemployment benefits, my mother told me I was needed at Stewarts.” Marie described how she approached the manager, who promptly offered her a position starting the next day.

Years of Dedication and Community Engagement

Over the years, Marie has witnessed the evolution of the retail landscape. Reflecting on her time at Tesco, she noted the difference in the work environment. “In the smaller stores, you knew everybody, but here, it’s a bit harder to connect with everyone because of different shifts,” she explained.

Marie has spent the last 12 to 13 years at the Castlereagh Road branch, where she enjoys interacting with customers. Many of them are familiar faces from her earlier days at Connswater and the Newtownards Road. “I used to work the counters and the meat aisle, and I still enjoy doing that,” she said.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. Simon McNeill, a former store manager at Castlereagh Road from 2018 to 2024, praised Marie as a “fantastic ambassador” for Tesco. “She is a stalwart of great customer service and a joy to work with,” he stated. “To remain loyal to Tesco for that length of time is fantastic.”

Longstanding Relationships and Community Impact

The celebration also highlighted the long-standing relationships Marie has built over her career. Lynn Mann, the customer experience manager at Tesco, reflected on her decades of experience working alongside Marie. “I have worked with the company for 40 years, and I have known Marie since I was 18. She started as my manager, and now I am her manager. She is brilliant to work with and a great friend,” Lynn shared.

The surprise party was not only a testament to Marie’s loyalty but also a celebration of her impact on the community and her colleagues. “The celebrations have been great,” she remarked, recalling a similar event when she reached her 40-year milestone.

As Marie Johnston continues her journey with Tesco, her commitment to excellent service and her connection to the community remain strong. Her story serves as an inspiring example of dedication and the lasting relationships built within the retail industry.