GRAM Awards 2012
Top retail managers celebrated at gala event
Print12 July 2012
The seventh annual ShelfLife Grocery Retail Awards in Management were held in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin on 31 May and there was a wonderful representation from across the trade in attendance. Sports fans were delighted to hear rugby pundit Brent Pope recount various stories and anecdotes from his career as he took to the stage as MC for the night.
The GRAMs, sponsored by The Irish Daily Mail and PostPoint, is the first and only national management awards scheme devoted exclusively to recognising the best managers in the Irish retail, wholesale and off-licence sectors.
In organising the awards, ShelfLife in conjunction with Excel Recruitment set down a clear list of objectives. These were to acknowledge and reward excellence in all sectors of the Irish grocery market; to upgrade the standard of customer service and to increase the service competitiveness of Ireland’s retail industry through excellence in management; and to set role models for their retail colleagues, thus motivating and promoting the importance of quality management within the Irish retail grocery industry.
The prize of National Retail Manager of the Year was awarded to Paddy O’Neill from Superquinn in Knocklyon, Co Dublin. There were many other winners and finalists on the night which are documented over the next few pages.
ShelfLife Grocery Retail Award in Management Winner 2012
Due to his outstanding management style, his ability to juggle the responsibility of driving his large staff to deliver ultimate levels of quality, service and cleanliness to his customers while keeping those same staff motivated and always smiling makes Paddy O’Neill a unique manager and the ShelfLife GRAM winner for 2012.
In next month’s issue there will be a two page special on our winner where he will explain what it’s like to be named as the top retail manager in the country and offer some top tips on the best ways to manage your staff.
People’s Choice Award 2012
Liam Ryan of SuperValu Glanmire was the winner of the People’s Choice award. This award recognises an individual who has been chosen by a member of their community for going that extra mile in terms of customer service or dedication to their local community. Because of his inspiration, initiative, drive and commitment to the local business community, Ryan has inspired an entire community to work together to retain and grow local jobs.
Fruit & Veg Manager of the Year 2012
John O’Keefe of Hurley’s SuperValu, Midleton, Co. Cork, was named as the Fruit and Veg Manager of the Year 2012.
Fruit and veg is the backbone of any supermarket, and this year’s winner has proven that participation can be grown and margin can be maintained, even with fierce competition from competitors Tesco, Lidl and Aldi. This manager, with a team of seven, highlights value for money and has gained a wealth of experience over two decades in this department.
He develops staff by encouraging them to be proactive about initiating interaction with customers and places a huge focus on customer service skills and product knowledge.
Cash and Carry Manager of the Year 2012
Brian Staunton of Musgrave Cash and Carry in Ballymun, Dublin, was named as the Cash and Carry Manager of the Year 2012. The perception that the modern cash and carry business is under pressure through a dip in sales in the food service industry, alcohol discounting and cross-border shopping is not one that applies to this winner. With high levels of service and an unparalleled range of product with 99.5% availability, all under one roof he has managed to not only create and retain loyal customers but to push footfall up by 12% this year.
News Department Manager of the Year 2012
Newspapers have the shortest shelf life in the retail trade, and it takes a very special person to maintain range and display while keeping waste to a minimum and maximising margin. Natasha Hughes from Eurospar in Kildare town employs every trick available to tempt the customer. Since increasing the shelf space available to the all-important news category she has doubled the amount of children’s comics sold and increased newspaper and magazine sales. With an eye for an up-sell, large bars of chocolate sit beside the women’s magazines, and gardening equipment is merchandised with a fine display of gardening magazines.
Off Licence Manager of the Year 2012
To win this particularly challenging and competitive category, the manager had to be passionate about wine, knowledgeable and qualified to advise customers and help them trade up. Mary Quinlan, Luke Moriarty’s SuperValu, Balbriggan, is somewhat of a visual display artist, with the ability to build eye-catching displays offering the best value in beers, wines and spirits. Quinlan has made this store a destination store for world beers, fine wines and added value spirits. Amongst her many accolades this winner has also won Off Licence of the Year 2012.
Customer Service Manager of the Year 2012
Jackie Hughes, Pettitts Supervalu, St. Aidan’s, Wexford, was the winner of this very competitive sector. Despite having a Tesco Extra, large established Dunnes, Lidl and Aldi and all the symbol groups in a 1.1 mile radius, her store has consistently bucked the trend of sales decline to grow every year, this year notwithstanding. This growth is achieved through a collective team effort that is harnessed by exceptional customer service. To deliver this service staff are continuously trained rigorously and measured, rewarded and recognised for their contribution and most importantly, customers’ opinions are consistently sought. Hughes has introduced many innovative and outstanding ideas and believes that the customers are her boss and the staff need to look at the store through the eyes of a customer.
Bakery Manager of the Year 2012
Bakery Manager of the Year, John King from Superquinn Lucan, Co Dublin, is running arguably the highest turnover scratch bakery in Ireland. King started his bakery apprenticeship when he was just 15 years old and almost 25 years later he is managing 12 staff and coming up with consistent innovation across the bakery, confectionary and impulse categories. Growing margin, developing a unique range of artisan, healthy eating and a new celebration cake range, whilst always putting the customer experience at the foremost of everything he and his team do, has created a renowned destination department.
Protein Manager of the Year 2012
Ireland’s reputation for meat is second to none and the protein department of a modern store has become the department that can set the store apart from the crowd, from the service behind the counter to the added value product available in store and the standards of food safety and hygiene. Winner David O’Neill manages an exceptional meat, fish and poultry offering. Through consistent hard work, some thinking outside the box and above all a real passion for what he does, he has managed to drive his category. With two fresh fish deliveries per day and a clever cook in foil prepared meal offering he has added sales, while educating customers and adding a really important staple to their diet. Implementing innovative category management to the prepack section off his own bat has helped the department outperform the store.
Deli Food-to-Go Manager of the Year 2012
Marian McGarrigle, the winner of the Deli Food-to-Go Manager of the Year 2012 runs her department with a smile on her face, a spreadsheet in one hand and the food safety hand-book in the other. This immensely capable food services professional pays keen attention to the margin and volumes of all of her busy deli counter’s products while coaching and mentoring her staff on quality, display, customer service and hygiene using materials that she has prepared herself.
Best team performance of the Year Award
The team from Scally’s SuperValu in Clonakilty, Co. Cork, was picked as the winner of the Best Team Performance due to their hallmark “can do” attitude to everything! This team has shown tremendous innovation, drive and passion founded on a belief in the power of people, both within the company and the wider community. The winners have been together as a unit for over 25 years and they have used that familiarity to bond as a team, producing a string of innovations. Not only have they assimilated new people into their culture of teamwork and collaboration, they have found the time to reach out into the community. The team at Scally’s are exemplary in their cross-departmental planning, use of team meetings and clustering around mutual goals – especially 100% customer service, as evidenced by their numerous awards in that category. Indeed, they are recipients of previous GRAM awards and are frequent contenders for Store of the Year.
Forecourt Manager of the Year 2012
Noel Darcy of Topaz Cashel, Co Tipperary, was chosen as the Forecourt Manager of the Year 2012 because he knows how to motivate his staff to operate this very busy forecourt and retail outlet, by listening to them and recognising and understanding their goals. He promotes loyalty to customers and delivers margin though a broader than standard deli, catering to business and leisure motorists as well as truck, drivers He is growing the business, and has ample opportunity with a 24 hour store of 4,000 square feet, 18 petrol pumps and thousands of customers daily.
Multiple Store Manager of a Supermarket (Under 10,000 sq ft)
Currently running a year-on-year growth of 20% with the lowest payroll cost in the company along with a 100% mystery shopper result, Derek McCloskey of Superquinn Rathgar was chosen to open and run his store from shell to store. Taking on this challenge, he used to his advantage, the fact that he could select his team and develop them from a blank canvas. His store has outperformed company expectations consistently. What makes this winner truly stand out from the crowd is the learning curve he had to take his team and company through from the opening of the business in the December snow of 2010, to learning how to effectively operate a dual entrance convenience store in a diverse and competitive environment, with a transient and fixed customer base. With a real passion for staff motivation, McCloskey has made Superquinn Rathgar a resounding success.
Multiple Store Manager of a Supermarket (Over 10.000 sq ft)
Overall winner Paddy O’Neill was also the winner of this category. O’Neill has worked his way up the ranks of the business since joining as a trainee manager in 1996. From changing consumer shopping patterns, unfortunately ill-timed and costly revamps to the general economic situation, our winner has worked tirelessly to overcome all these challenges to run one of the finest supermarkets in Ireland. Focusing on the strengths of his massive fresh food offering, not just on the quality and size of the range, but on highlighting exceptionally well the value within the range, he has delivered a value message to challenge consumer perception. Managing and motivating 168 staff, a challenge in itself, he has driven his store to be a huge success for the company.
Symbol Group Manager of the Year 2012 (Under 3,000 sq ft)
Managing a retail convenience store of 2,000 square feet, Patrick Farrell of Spar Cloghan Co. Offaly demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit that the judges found to be in abundance during the awards process, whether this is in a ‘can do’ attitude or through product innovation, Farrell has both in spades. He often goes beyond the call of duty like when he meets the local bread supplier on route to the store in the morning to ensure the customers have the freshest product when the store opens. He has built up a business that was closed for a year to a €2.5m turnover and has created the ultimate convenience offering under one roof with ATM, off licence, post office, hot ambient grocery, unique ice cream and a strong fuel offering serviced by ample parking, all under one roof.
Symbol Group Manager of the Year (3,000-6,000 sq ft)
Claire Fahy of Caseys Centra, Co Galway, is a shining example of passion, energy, dedication and ambition in retail. Her energy level and enthusiasm for what she does is infectious. Opening and running a 4,000 square foot convenience store at the beginning of the recession, through her enthusiasm and determination, she has driven the business to success. Fahy believes that feedback from her staff is the best motivational tool at her disposal and has fostered an excellent upbeat atmosphere in the store by doing this. She was selected to speak about her learnings to 600 people at her company conference this year.
Symbol Group Manager of the Year 2012 (Over 6,000 sq ft)
Ryan’s SuperValu Glanmire was named as SuperValu store of the year 2012. At the helm of this super store is Tom Higgins. This exceptional manager has steered a path of growth for two consecutive years at this store following a substantial and disruptive refit. He manages by empowering his department heads to drive the business forward and has been innovative and raised the bar in terms of the customer retailing experience at every opportunity. It is not often that you hear of a store that has Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes, Tesco and a range of forecourts in its hinterland that has increased employment by more than 60%.
GRAM 2012 award winners and finalists
National Retail Manager of the Year 2012
Paddy O’Neill, Superquinn Knocklyon, Dublin
*********************
Symbol Group Manager of the Year 2012 (0 to 3,000 Sq Ft)
Sponsored by Sum Ceart Bia
Winner: Patrick Farrell, SPAR Express, Cloghan, Co Offaly
Finalists:
Jim McCausland, Casey’s Centra, Roscommon
Ciaran McKenna, Centra, Moville, Co. Donegal
Adeel Butt, Bradely’s XL, East Wall, Dublin
Joanne Dennehy, Herlihy’s Centra, Millstreet, Co. Cork
******************
Symbol Group Manager of the Year 2012 (3,000 to 6,000 Sq Ft)
Sponsored By Western Union
Winner: Claire Fahy, Centra, Wellpark, Galway
Finalists:
Serena Guihen, McCann’s Centra, Moycullen, Galway
Chris McVeigh, Casey’s Centra, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Damien Fallon, Cross’s Centra, Naas, Co. Kildare
Joanne Carroll, Stafford’s Fine Foods, Drogheda, Co Louth
*********************
Symbol Group Manager of the Year 2012 (larger 6,000+ sq ft)
Sponsored by Post Point
Winner: Tom Higgins, SuperValu, Glanmire, Cork
Finalists:
James Keegan, SuperValu, Clane, Co. Kildare
Noel O’Riordan, SuperValu, Douglas, Cork
Charlie Ferry, SuperValu, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
John O Sullivan, Herlihy’s Centra, Fermoy Co Cork
Multiple Manager of the Year 2012 Stores (Under 10,000 sq ft)
Sponsored by Dale Farm
Winner: Derek McCloskey, Superquinn, Rathgar, Dublin 6
Finalist:
Antoinette Carney, Tesco Parnell Street, Dublin
****************
Multiple Supermarket Manager Stores (Over 10,000 Sq Ft)
Sponsored by Dale Farm
Winner: Paddy O’Neill, Superquinn, Knocklyon, Dublin 16
Finalists:
Joe Duke, Dunnes Stores Douglas, Cork
John Dillon, Tesco, Killarney
***********************
Forecourt Manager of the Year 2012
Sponsored by Nightline
Winner: Noel Darcy, Topaz, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Finalists:
Ger Coughlan, Maxol/Mace, Carrigaline, Cork
Anna Majcher Amber Oil/Costcutter Express, Lisduggan, Waterford
Monika Florczyk, Topaz, Templeogue, Dublin 6W
Audrius Ciutys, Topaz, Kilmananogue, Co. Wicklow
Ruairi Kelly, Topaz/SPAR, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Brendan Bernes, Topaz, Kill, Co. Kildare
****************
Off-Licence Manager of the Year 2012
Sponsored by ShelfLife.ie
Winner: Mary Quinlan, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
Finalists:
Michelle Doyle, The Market, Stepaside, Co. Dublin
Lilian Twomey, SuperValu, Glanmire, Co. Cork
Killian Clarke, Superquinn, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Darren Hogan, Superquinn, Carlow
Joe Rock, Superquinn, Swords, Co. Dublin
Didier Segui, Hurley’s SuperValu, Midleton, Co. Cork
*******************************
Cash & Carry Manager of the Year 2012
Sponsored by Excel Recruitment
Winner: Brian Staunton, Musgrave, Marketplace, St Margarets’s Road, Dublin 1
Finalists:
Rory Gartlan, Value Centre, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
James Fegan, Fegan’s Foodservice, North Road, Dublin
******************************
Best Team Performance of the Year 2012
Sponsored by GM Marketing
Winner: Scally’s Supervalu Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Finalists:
Centra Ballina, Co. Mayo
Cross’s Centra Naas, Co. Kildare
Tobins Topaz, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Ryan’s SuperValu Glanmire, Cork
Hurley’s SuperValu, Midleton, Co. Cork
********************************
Fruit & Veg Manager of the Year 2012
Sponsored by Excel Recruitment
Winner: John O’Keeffe, Hurley’s SuperValu, Midleton, Co Cork
Finalists:
Gerry Moore, Herlihy’s Centra, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Jennifer Murray, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Palmerstown, Dublin 15
Aine McGovern, Donohoe’s SuperValu, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
Michael Keane, Superquinn, Swords, Co. Dublin
Eddie Landers, Superquinn, Castletroy, Limerick
Tomasz Miekina, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Skerries, Co. Dublin
Brian Daly, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
****************************
In-Store Bakery Manager of the Year 2012
Sponsored by Cuisine de France
Winner: John King, Superquinn, Lucan, Co Dublin
Finalists:
Jimmy Walsh, SuperValu, Glanmire, Cork
Cathereen Fitzpatrick, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Skerries, Co. Dublin
**************************
Delicatessen/ Food to Go Manager of the Year 2012
Sponsored by insuremyshop.ie
Winner: Marion McGarrigle, Tobin’s Topaz/SPAR, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Finalists:
Cathryn Helly, Casey’s Centra, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Grainne Talty, Mace, Lissycasey, Co. Clare
Hayley Wasser, Superquinn, Heuston South Quarter, Dublin 8
Rachel Healy, O’Shea’s Gala, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Amanda King, Casey’s Centra, Wellpark, Galway
***************************
Customer Service Manager 2012
Sponsored by European Recycling Platform
Winner: Jackie Hughes, Pettitt’s SuperValu, St Aidan’s Shopping Centre, Wexford
Finalists:
Rachel Stritch, Superquinn, Sundrive Road, Dublin 12.
Margaret Costello, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
Francis Wright, Daybreak, Allenwood, Naas, Co Kildare
Sharon Land, Superquinn, Knocklyon, Dublin 16
Lorraine Kane, Superquinn, Rathborne, Dublin 15
*****************************
Protein Manager of the Year 2012
Sponsored by EIQA
Winner: David O’Neill, Superquinn, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Finalists:
David Beirne, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Palmerstown, Dublin 15
Pat Hogan, Hurley’s SuperValu, Midleton, Co. Cork
*******************
People’s Choice Award 2012
Sponsored by the Irish Daily Mail
Winner: Liam Ryan, SuperValu Glanmire, Cork
Finalists:
Gerard Cushen, Dunnes Stores Henry Street, Dublin
Aidan Hennigan, Casey’s Centra, Castlebar, co. Mayo
Alex Cleland, “Clelands” Main Street, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois
************ ************
News Department Manager of the Year 2012
Sponsored by the Irish Daily Mail
Winner: Natasha Hughes, Eurospar, Kildare
Finalists:
Sinead Brogan, Moriarty’s SuperValu, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
Debbie Doyle, Pettitt’s SuperValu, Gorey, Co Wexford
Carmel Dormer, Centra Gort Road, Ennis Co Clare
Emilia Balcer, Centra Mell, Drogheda, Co Louth
Ann Jones, SuperValu Clane, Co Kildare
Fiona Stack, SuperValu Midleton, Co Cork
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