It’s been another outstanding year for the SPAR Australia network; over 300 guests came together at the annual Gala Awards Dinner to celebrate the achievements of independent SPAR retailers over the last year.

Reflecting on another year of excellence, SPAR Australia Managing Director, Lou Jardin, said: “We will continue to provide competition at the wholesale level, ensuring independent retailers are able to source deals that allow them to compete in the market and guarantee the survival of family businesses in the grocery industry.”

SPAR would like to congratulate the following retailers on their success in their respective categories:

• SPAR Store of the Year 2017 – SPAR Maclean
• SPAR Express Store of the Year 2017 – SPAR Express Terrigal

The department awards were presented to the following stores, for not only outshining their competitors in their local communities with their fresh and high-quality products, but for ensuring their offer is consistently at a high level for their customers:

• SPAR Grocery / General Merchandise Award – SPAR Jandowae
• SPAR Express Grocery / General Merchandise Award – SPAR Express Withcott
• SPAR Dairy / Freezer Award – SPAR Malanda
• SPAR Express Dairy / Freezer Award – SPAR Express Terrigal
• SPAR Fresh Food Award – SPAR Maclean
• SPAR Express Fresh Food Award – SPAR Express Terrigal
• Food-to-Go Award – SPAR Express Oxenford

The Special Awards were highly contended this year and congratulations goes to the following successful retailers:

• Brand Ambassador of the Year Award 2017 – Dimitri Spyrakis – SPAR Sussex Inlet, who will be featured in our next issue of Contact International. Watch a testimonial video of Dmitri, also available on our website.
• Store Investment Excellence Award 2017 –
  • SPAR Chevron
  • SPAR Chirn Park
  • SPAR Express Edens Landing
  • SPAR Express Morpetho SPAR Express Port Macquarie
  • SPAR Express Proston
  • SPAR Jacaranda Avenue
  • SPAR Suffolk Park
  • SPAR Warren

Two suppliers were also recognised for their stands at the Trade Show. SPAR Australia congratulated the following suppliers on their success in the stand awards and thank them for the effort they put into the event:

• • Small Supplier Stand 2017 – JT’s Coconut Essence
  • Large Supplier Stand 2017 – Frucor Suntory

* Pictured with all the award winners is John Costanzo, SPAR Australia General Manager Retail Operations & Business Development