Convenience Retail Awards 2016: Party with the best of them

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The Convenience Retail Awards celebrate the very best that our sector has to offer. Send your entries in now for a chance to be part of it

Today marks the launch of the Convenience Retail Awards 2016 - not only the most prestigious awards ceremony in the sector, but also the best night out. Taking place on Thursday 17 March at 155 Bishopsgate, London, the CRAs offer you the opportunity to party with the best retailers in the business, and maybe even scoop a highly sought-after award.

Scotmid Stockbridge in Edinburgh took home the title of Convenience Retailer of the year 2015 and has reaped the benefits. “It’s definitely brought more custom to the store,” says manager Craig McAulay. “We had record sales throughout the summer, even without good weather. Turnover is up from £44-£46,000 a week to £49-£50,000 and the store also receives much more attention, with top bosses at Scotmid and MPs coming to visit.”

It’s not just sales that rocket though - winning an award has a massive impact on staff, too. “It was a great morale boost,” says Craig. “My regional development manager says we’ve probably got one of the strongest teams in the area. They have more confidence in themselves and not a single member of staff has left since we won the award.”

The evening itself provides a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with like-minded peers. “The awards night gave us a good chance to network with other stores and suppliers, and friendships have been formed,” s ays Darren Given of Swifts in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, whose store was named National Lottery Retailer of the Year.

But it’s not just about taking home an award. “It was a brilliant night out,” says Darren. “There was a real party atmosphere. We’d have loved it just as much even if we hadn’t won an award. When you’re all standing on your chairs at the end of the night waving your napkins in the air, you know you’ve had a good time - it’s great craic!”

So what are you waiting for - request an entry form now and send it to us by 13 November to be in with a chance of joining the party.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

To be in with a chance of winning, we are looking for stores with a vibrant atmosphere and the highest standards of merchandising and cleanliness. A strong and enticing product range is a must, as is a proven track record of business success. We love to see engaging staff who pride themselves on providing top-notch customer service; getting involved with community activities; and achieving good sales. If you think your store fits the bill, then enter online or request a paper entry form today.

CRA 2016

The awards categories

The awards programme is split into two parts. The store awards celebrate outstanding all-round achievement across the store as a whole and are based on store size - small, medium and large - with medium-sized stores split into multiple and independent sub-categories.

Best Independent Convenience Store

(Nine stores or fewer in the same ownership)

Best Multiple Convenience Store

(10 stores or more)

Best Small Store

(1,500sq ft or smaller)

Best Large Store

(3,000-10,000sq ft)

There are also a number of specialist category awards to recognise outstanding achievement in one of the key disciplines of convenience retailing. These are:

Best Chilled Food Retailer

sponsored by Müller Dairy/Müller Wiseman Dairies

Off Licence Retailer of the Year