Convenience Store columnist Alan Toft has been honoured for his 21 years of contributions to the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), which include founding the My Shop is Your Shop (MSYS) campaign.

Alan is not retiring but has stepped down from his active role in the Federation. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from chairman Francis Ball at the FWD's annual dinner last month.

Steve Parfett of wholesaler Parfett's said: "Alan famously dreamt up the concept of MSYS on a beach in Corsica."

Leicester retailer Raj Aggarwal, a member of the MSYS planning group, said: "No one has had such enthusiasm to drive MSYS and our businesses and put it where it is today."

And Yorkshire retailer Lionel Cashin added: "Alan has always been his own man and our whole industry is in his debt."