The Convenience Retail Awards 2024 held in Manchester on 21 March 2024 celebrated the convenience industry and the people who work in it. Two SPAR UK stores took home awards - SPAR Oxford Road in Greater Manchester won Independent Convenience Store of the Year, and SPAR Malone Road, Co. Antrim won Multiple Managed Convenience Store of the Year.

Aidan Fortune, Editor of Convenience Store, said: “This year’s Convenience Award winners demonstrated that the industry continues to raise the bar in delivering exceptional experiences for customers. Their success is not only a recognition of their hard work, but also a testament to their unwavering dedication to staying at the forefront of the industry.”

Independent Convenience Store

The SPAR store on Oxford Road, located in Greater Manchester, England, took home the Independent Convenience Store of the Year award. The store, run by Paul Stone, is located in the heart of Manchester. Open 24/7, the judges were impressed with the dedication which goes into making this store successful, with a huge focus on ‘feed me now’ and ‘big night in’ missions.

The store underwent a refit in 2023 to improve its refrigeration, lighting and air conditioning while also increasing shelf space to enhance its snacking and soft drinks offering. These changes helped contribute to an 18% uplift in sales while reducing electricity consumption by 28%.

Multiple Managed Convenience Store

The SPAR store on Malone Road, Country Antrim in Northern Ireland, was named as Multiple Managed Convenience Store of the Year. The store has a true sense of a community neighbourhood retailer. Shoppers can find everything they need instore, and the judges were impressed by the store catering to a wide range of needs. The store puts the customer at the forefront with the ‘tell us first’ feedback initiative, with the goal to provide a continuously improving and positive shopping experience.

Exceptional store recognition

Ian Taylor, SPAR UK Retail Director, said: “Congratulations to both stores on their award wins at the 2024 Convenience Retail Awards. We are very proud of the work all of our SPAR stores across the UK do and are delighted to see these two exceptional stores recognised for their excellent store standards, customer service, innovation and brilliant results. This recognition reaffirms our dedication to continually raising the bar and exceeding expectations in the convenience industry.”

Source: SPAR UK

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About SPAR UK

The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR UK comprises independently owned, licensed, retailers and company-owned stores.