At home in the utility room there is a carbon racing bike; the two-wheeled lightweight has been there for a year and is still waiting for its first ride.
But now it won’t be long before it has to be aired: 60-year-old Jørgen Petersen has just announced that he is quitting as warehouse manager at AZ in Hjørring.
– So I’ll have time for that now – and it wouldn’t matter if I lost ten kilos, says Jørgen Petersen with a smile.
45 years
The 60-year-old Hobro boy began his career as a bottle boy in Føtex in his home region, and since then he has tried his hand at a bit of everything in the Salling Group: He has, among other things, helped open Føtex in Skejby in 1987, Føtex in Sønderborg in 1991 and Bilka in Holstebro in 1993.
For the past 24 years, he has been warehouse manager at AZ in Hjørring, and before his last working day he will have been employed by the Salling Group for 45 years.
The forehead once morest the planning law
In other words, he has tried a bit of everything in his career – but one thing he didn’t manage: To experience AZ transform into a Bilka.
Otherwise, it is not because the attempt has not been made over the years. Dansk Supermarked – and since then Salling Group – have had to admit over the course of a few decades that they have time and once more run afoul of the Planning Act and other regulations.
– And I’m sorry regarding that – I would have liked to have helped open a Bilka in Hjørring. But I still believe there will be a Bilka. It just didn’t happen in my time, states the department store manager.
A bowling alley has otherwise been razed to the ground next to AZ, and it is ready for the purpose – should the plans come true one fine day…
The many years of unsuccessful attempts also mean that Jørgen Petersen is a rare character: there is only one AZ left in the kingdom, and therefore he is also the only department store manager of his kind.
New customers
While a Bilka in Vendsyssel is still in an unknown place on the horizon, it has nevertheless succeeded in selling food on AF Heidemanns Vej in Hjørring. However, on a somewhat smaller scale.
Here, a few months ago, two containers were slammed into the parking lot – and ever since it has been possible to order ToGo food for collection, goods that are packed and delivered by Bilka in Skalborg.
– We are off to a good start. It is possible to receive 75 orders in one day. We are not there yet, but interest is increasing and we had a day with 60 orders. I can also see that the opportunity means that we will see new customers with us, says Jørgen Petersen.
Clear skies
Jørgen Petersen lives in Hjørring – and intends to stay here when he retires shortly, he tells Nordjyske.
In addition to speeding up the amount of exercise a little, he also has other plans.
– I would like to travel a bit too. It’s regarding enjoying it a little before it’s too late, he says.
He will be saying goodbye to a large workplace with around 170 employees.
– We have many employees with long service. I take that as an expression that they are happy to work here – and it also rubs off on the customers, where we have the most satisfied customers in the whole country, if you compare with all the Bilka warehouses, says the soon-to-be former warehouse manager.
Jørgen Petersen’s last day of work is May 31.
A farewell reception will be held for him on 23 May at Restaurant Svanelunden in Hjørring, where colleagues, business partners, family and friends are invited.
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2024-04-19 09:36:02
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