Louise Hoste, SPAR UK Managing Director, said: “The Convenience Awards are an opportunity to showcase our hardworking independent retailers and stores, running excellent businesses across the sector.
“It has never been more important to recognise and celebrate the various levels of innovation and passion around our business. We have been the driving force in the evolution of convenience retailing. We will continue to develop innovative, shopper-focused, profitable stores for our independent retailers.”
Aidan Fortune, Convenience Store Editor, said: “Our judging panel for The Convenience Awards 2022 had a tough job deciding upon this year’s winners. All of the finalists are amazing examples of great convenience operators, and the winners in these categories are well-deserved.”
When a judge exclaims that they want to buy their food to go at a store, you know you’ve got a winning entry. Slick, innovative and professional were just three terms used to describe Mulkerns. No stranger to winning this award, the store’s range and professional management of the category make them a worthy category winner.
Strong sales growth and constant innovation helped Mulkerns win the Large Convenience Store of the Year category. The judging panel praised the team’s engagement with customers, online offerings, and overall store standards.
The store’s fresh displays and butchery counter came in for particular praise by the judges for this category. It also won out on design, training standards, support for the local community, and overall high standards for the store.
A fifteen-year veteran of the business, Lisa is involved in every aspect of the store, including recruitment, delivery, and the food service departments. Lisa was described as an amazing team member, loved by customers and staff at all levels, and a true asset to the business.
This category is based on shopper research from Lumina Intelligence’s Convenience Tracking Programme. SPAR forecourts are considered some of the best by their customers for their speed of service, product range, customer service, and value for money.
Source: SPAR UK
The UK became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. As a result, there are now five regional partners in the UK. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group.
SPAR has led the highly competitive convenience market in the UK for many years. Always innovative, the five regional partners continue to grow the brand. SPAR UK comprises independently owned licensed retailers and company-owned stores. These include forecourts, airports, train stations, city centres, and local neighbourhood stores.
