Personal service, attention to detail and having the right values were three pieces of advice Laura Tenison, founder and managing director of JoJo Maman Bébé, shared with the UK’s top independent news and convenience retailers at the Independent Achievers Academy (IAA) Gala Dinner in London last night.
“The Academy is a fabulous support to independent local stores,” said Laura Tenison, after sharing her own experience of founding an independent retail company with just £2,000 at her kitchen table and growing it to sales of more than £44million a year.
This year’s winner of the overall award for best shop was Eddie Poole of Poole’s SuperValu in Moira, Co. Armagh. He was a finalist in five categories this year, winning three of them. Through his innovative and environmentally conscious approach, Eddie has enhanced SuperValu’s reputation as a thriving shop that truly cares about its suppliers and customers.
“This year we have seen record numbers of retailers requesting to take part in our Academy in Action store visits and an amazing 46% of entrants to the Academy are new faces,” said Hayley Pavlou, Project Manager. “As we journeyed through the assessment process, what impressed the judges the most was how hungry retailers are for success and what can be achieved when you set your mind on a goal. It was fantastic to see so many retailers being recognised for their outstanding achievements last night.”
Award winning David Charman, of SPAR Parkfoot Garages Ltd, said “We are so thrilled to have won the Availability award. Bringing the award back to our team in the shop has been the best bit – they are so happy that their hard work has been recognised in an independently judged process. We can’t wait to enter next year!”
The Gala Dinner marks the end of this year’s eight month Academy programme, supported by 12 of the UK’s leading suppliers to the independent convenience channel. A total of 18 retailers were shortlisted for the awards, which recognise best practice in 12 operational areas where shopkeepers need to excel to grow sales and profits.
And the winners are:
Shop Layout
Sponsored by Heineken
Paul & Pinda Cheema, Malcolm’s Store Costcutter, Coventry
Merchandising
Sponsored by Wrigley
Eddie Poole, Poole’s SuperValu Moira, Co. Armagh
Effective Ranging
Sponsored by Coca-Cola Enterprises
Rav Garcha, Nisa Local Gains Park, Shrewsbury
Availability
Sponsored by Imperial Tobacco
David Charman, SPAR Parkfoot Garages Ltd, Kent
Customer Service
Sponsored by Red Bull
Roli Ranger, Londis Ascot, Ascot
In-Store Theatre
Sponsored by Camelot
Chris Rolfe, The Market Square Food & Wine, East Sussex
Service To The Community
Sponsored by Booker
Kishore Chandarana, Premier Tara’s News, High Wycombe
Marketing To Customers
Sponsored by Mondelez International
Daniel Cock, Premier Whitstone Village Stores, Devon
Environmental Sustainability
Sponsored by News UK
Eddie Poole, Poole’s SuperValu Moira, Co. Armagh
Responsible Retailing
Sponsored by JTI
Yogendra Sonchhatla, Premier SNA Supermarket, Southampton
Retail Innovation
Sponsored by The Retail Data Partnership
Bob and Sue Young, Robin Hill Stores, Dorset
Staff Development
Sponsored by NFRN
Eddie Poole, Poole’s SuperValu Moira, Co. Armagh
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