Our sister title RN’s winners of the inaugural 30 Under Thirty were joined by leading industry figures in Birmingham on 11 May to share their fantastic stories and the things they’ve achieved at their stores.

Some of these retailers own their own store – or even several – and most have turned around its fortunes through innovative products, positive attitudes and staff leadership. Others are working within the industry, managing stores or handling certain key facets of the business. Their efforts have brought about growth – in turnover, sales and customer footfall – and they have often been among the first to trial and implement new technolo­gies, from on-the-go food and drink machines, dessert bars and takeaway cocktails to home delivery offers, beer kegs and vape stations.

On receiving recognition at the event, Krupa Patel of Star News in Nottingham, said: “What’s nice for us is our store has previously been recognised but that was our parents! This is something we’ve achieved completely on our own.”

Meanhwile, Jordha Sanghera of Bells Supermarket in Kidderminster highlighted the importance of valuing your staff: “From shelving to customer service, it’s vital to establish their loyalty!” Amrit Singh Pahal, of H & Jodie’s Nisa in Walsall, also revealed how he engages with the community through the brands in his store by providing free ice cream to students getting their GCSE results.

These retailers are working wonders in the here and now, doing amazing things for their store, their community and the industry, and you can read more about the insights shared at the 30 Under Thirty winners event in this week’s RN.

Here, we’ve captured our highlights from an afternoon of celebration and innovation.

Ahmed Amin

Store: Value Centre, Whitley Bay Limited, Tyne and Wear

Symbol: Premier

Josh Baker

Store: Village Stores, Mickleton, Gloucestershire

Symbol: Nisa

Dan Brown

Store: Lothian Stores Ltd t/a Pinkie Farm Convenience Store, Moray

Symbol: Nisa

Amy Bullen

Store: Costcutter Epsom, Surrey

Symbol: Costcutter

James Day

Store: Village Stores, Mickleton, Gloucestershire

Symbol: Nisa

Gary Dhaliwal

Store: Dhaliwal Food Store, Southampton

Symbol: Unaffiliated

Ashton Gardner

Store: Londis Westacre Service Station, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Symbol: Londis

Faraz Iqbal

Store: Premier Linktown Local, Kirkcaldy

Symbol: Premier

Sunny Mann

Store: M&S Local, Blidworth, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Symbol: Nisa

Colin Manning

Store: Cantillon Group, Cork, Ireland

Symbol: Maxol

Jack Matthews

Store: Bradley’s Supermarket, Quorn, Leicestershire

Symbol: Nisa

Enya McAteer

Store: Mulkerns Spar Jonesborough, Co. Armagh

Symbol: Spar

Philip Moutray

Store: WM Moutray & Sons, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone

Symbol: Costcutter

Hardeep Nahal

Store: Pedmore Convenience Store, Stourbridge, West Midlands

Symbol: Best-one

Anish Panchmatia

Store: Spar Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands

Symbol: Spar

Kirti Patel

Store: Londis Ferme Park Road, London

Symbol: Londis

Viraj and Krupa Patel

Store: Star News, Nottingham

Symbol: Unaffiliated

Shisan Patel

Store: Jash (DPS), Birmingham

Symbol: Nisa

Amit Puntambekar

Store: Ash’s Shop, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire

Symbol: Nisa

Swarti Rabadia

Store: Rabadia Convenience Store, Leigh, Greater Manchester

Symbol: Go Local

Farhan Rashid

Store: Lepton Food & Wine, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Symbol: Unaffiliated

Muhammad Rashid

Store: Attock Superstore, Oldham, Greater Manchester

Symbol: Unaffiliated

Haider Safraz

Store: Netherlee Post & News, Glasgow

Symbol: Unaffiliated

Jordha Sanghera

Store: Bells Supermarkets Ltd, Kidderminster, Worcestershire

Symbol: Nisa

David Sellers

Stores: DKS Group Ltd, Hull, Sheffield and Leeds

Symbol: Nisa

Kiefer Shea-Godden

Store: My Local Convenience Stores Ltd, Newport

Symbol: Unaffiliated

Alpesh Shingadia

Store: Budgens Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex

Symbol: Budgens

Amrit Singh Pahal

Store: H & Jodie’s Nisa, Walsall, West Midlands

Symbol: Nisa

AJ Singh

Store: Premier Morley, Leeds

Symbol: Premier

Dilmeet Singh

Store: Londis Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire

Symbol: Londis