Spar/Texaco, Junction 14 named National Convenience Store of the Year

Mark Hargadon, commercial director convenience, Aryzta Food Solutions Ireland joins George Canavan, sales & operations manager, National Lottery to present the Champion Award – National Convenience Store of the Year 2021 to Peter Varga, Penyo Shilev-Kulesza and manager Gavin Moran of Spar / Texaco, Junction 14, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare

Exceptional standards of Ireland’s convenience store sector celebrated at national industry event

News

11 March 2022

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Spar / Texaco, Junction 14 in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare has been named National Convenience Store of the Year 2021, beating off stiff competition to scoop the ultimate accolade at the ShelfLife National C-Store Awards 2021.

Following another challenging year for Ireland’s convenience retail sector on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic, ShelfLife was once again delighted to celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s exceptional convenience stores in true style with our return to an in-person event last night.

Originally due to be held in November 2021, the ceremony was postponed due to the increase of Covid-19 hospitalisations occurring at that time, and to ensure the safety of all involved.

Proving the adage that good things come to those who wait, the country’s top retailers and brands gathered at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire yesterday evening to attend the prestigious event. Held in association with Cuisine de France and The National Lottery, the ShelfLife C-Store Awards – now in their 20^th year – are the only comprehensive and independently judged business accolades for the convenience store sector.

Together with returning master of ceremonies Marty Whelan, ShelfLife welcomed 330 guests from across the industry. Awards were presented across 24 categories in total, celebrating the industry’s finest stores, people and brands in a diverse range of areas.

The judges said of this year’s Supreme National Winner, Spar / Texaco, Junction 14 in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare: “The overall Supreme Champion Award winner consistently delivers excellent customer service, with first-class foodservice and friendly, helpful staff. With a wide array of fresh food options available, customers are spoilt for choice and our Supreme Winner’s reputation for high standards across the board has resulted in this store becoming a real destination spot.

“High-spec, well-proportioned facilities are spotlessly clean. Coupled with an easy-to-navigate layout and high-speed WiFi, this has created a store to which customers are keen to return.

“The quality throughout this winning store is clear, even down to the smallest detail. A store truly designed with the customer’s comfort and convenience top of mind.”

Commenting on the awards ceremony, ShelfLife publisher John McDonald said: “We were absolutely delighted to celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s leading convenience retailers in-person once again, after two years of almost no physical events.

“Retailers have faced huge challenges during the pandemic – not least of which, difficulties with staff rostering due to isolation restrictions. However, Ireland’s convenience retail teams have responded to all the myriad challenges in a rapid and professional manner, with the safety of colleagues and customers kept front-of-mind at all times.

“Not only that, but Ireland’s convenience stores have in fact strengthened ties with their local communities even further, with many going the extra mile to assist and support their vulnerable customers. This is a real testament to the professionalism and dedication of our leading c-stores, truly at the beating heart of their communities.”

“Despite the unique cocktail of challenges facing retailers throughout 2021, from staff shortages to inflationary pressures; high standards have never faltered,” added ShelfLife editor Gillian Hamill. “Once again, our judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of entrants across the country. All the winners should be extremely proud of themselves, their teams and the levels of service offered.

“The ShelfLife team would also like to express our sincere gratitude to all our award sponsors for their support which has made the ceremony possible and is greatly appreciated by us all.”

The full list of awards and winners were as follows:

Food to Go Retailer of the Year (Bronze)

Spar, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath

Sponsored by Cuisine de France

Food to Go Retailer of the Year (Silver)

Spar, Little Island, Co. Cork

Sponsored by Cuisine de France

Food to Go Retailer of the Year (Gold)

Spar / Texaco, Junction 14, Mayfield, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare

Sponsored by Cuisine de France

Protein Section Display of the Year

Spar, Greenhills, Monegall, Co. Offaly

Sponsored by Fulfil

Phone Accessory Display of the Year

Londis, DCU Glasnevin, Dublin 9

Sponsored by SmartBits

C-Store Off-Licence Retailer of the Year

Centra, Maugheraboy, Co. Sligo

Sponsored by Bibendum Ireland

Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year

Spar, Little Island, Co. Cork

Sponsored by Invest NI

New Convenience Store Concept / Offering

Spar / Texaco, Junction 14, Mayfield, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare

Sponsored by Anglo Irish Refrigeration

Staff Development Award

Daybreak, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

Sponsored by Payzone

Community Initiative of the Year

Lynch’s Gala, Killydoon, Co. Cavan

Sponsored by Kellogg’s

National Lottery Star Store Retailer of the Year (Runner up)

Bergin’s Food Fair, 45 Parnell Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Sponsored by The National Lottery

National Lottery Star Store Retailer of the Year (Runner up)

Hanley’s, Pearse Square, Fermoy, Co. Cork

Sponsored by The National Lottery

National Lottery Star Store Retailer of the Year (Gold)

SuperValu, Main Street, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan

Sponsored by The National Lottery

Best Impulse Offering

XL, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9

Sponsored by Excel Recruitment

Cuisine de France Bakery of the Year

Eurospar Swords, Dublin 15

Sponsored by Cuisine de France

Retail Technology Supplier of the Year

CBE

Sponsored by Bank of Ireland

New C-Store Product of the Year

Cadbury Orange Twirl

Sponsored by Spar

Marketing Campaign of the Year

Heineken

Sponsored by Mace

Product of the Year

Coca-Cola

Sponsored by XL

Wine of the Year

Santa Rita

Sponsored by Barry Group/Costcutter/Carry Out

Food & Drink Start-up of the Year

Hot Chip Dublin

Sponsored by Centra

Supplier of the Year

Aryzta

Sponsored by Gala

Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Small) Bronze

Costcutter / Swift Fuels, Burgess N25 Service Station, Killeagh, Co. Cork

Sponsored by PCS

Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Small) Silver

Daybreak / Circle K, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

Sponsored by PCS

Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Small) Gold

Costcutter / Applegreen, Lifford, Co. Donegal

Sponsored by PCS

Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Large) Bronze

Londis / Circle K, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

Sponsored by PCS

Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Large) Silver

Gala / Circle K, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick

Sponsored by PCS

Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Large) Gold

Spar / Texaco, Junction 14, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare

Sponsored by PCS

Convenience Store of the Year (Small) Joint Bronze

Spar, Back Lane, Lahinch, Co, Clare