Three supermarkets have been named IGAÍs Retailers of the Year at the independent groupÍs expo and conference on the Gold Coasts. South AustraliaÍs Norwood Foodland IGA, QueenslandÍs IGA New Farm and VictoriaÍs Blairgowrie IGA X-press took the top slots.
The Norwood store places a large emphasis on both locally grown and Australian made produce which has proven extremely popular with the storeÍs large customer base; IGA New Farm is a concept store designed to reflect and attract the trendy inner-city community with a modern fit-out, interactive touch screens and a free standing delicatessen offering an extensive range of gourmet foods; Blairgowrie IGA X-press is a perfect example of a lifestyle store offering its customers meal solutions, health alternatives, gourmet inspiration and quality of merchandising.
Lou Jardin, CEO IGA distribution, said receiving a Retailer of the Year Award is considered a great honour in the group.
ñEach year the process for choosing winners becomes more challenging due to the constant improvement in store standards within our brand. The Retailer of the Year Award recognises the hard work, commitment and excellence in customer service these stores have demonstrated all year round, î Jardin added.
In addition 24 category awards were awarded to recognise excellence demonstrated by individual departments, IGA villages and staff and two new retailers were added to the Dr Thomas S. Haggai IGA Hall of Fame.
The new inductees, recognised for their significant contribution to the independent grocery industry, were John Niewand of Victoria and Mick Whitehead of New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory.
IGAÍs Retailer of the Year Awards are a year-round process, with stores continually being visited and judged by their area’s business manager, who then nominates stores who perform well in their Village network for the respective State Retailer of the Year Awards.
Each of the prize winners received trophies to be displayed with pride in their stores. The department category winners received a 50 percent discount to attend IGAÍs annual Study Tour in 2010. All three channel ïRetailer of the YearÍ award winners as well as the Local Hero Award winner, Colin Cleary, received fully subsidised tickets for two people on the Study Tour.
The Local Hero Award is a significant achievement that recognises the ongoing commitment of IGA stores which have made significant contribution to their local communities.