SPAR Parkfoot Scoops Top Prize at Convenience Awards

September 15, 2021

SPAR Parkfoot in Kent has been named Convenience Retailer of the Year at The Convenience Awards 2021.

The store won the Independent Convenience Store of the Year category at the ceremony in London and went on to win the overall prize of Convenience Retailer of the Year.

Owner David Charman commented: “It’s been a difficult year for all of my staff and this is a fantastic reward for them.

“We’ve really focused on what the customer wants and we’ve tried hard to give them that, and we’ve also tried to make sure that the site has run safely and carefully throughout everything that’s happened over the past year.

“We’re really proud of how we’ve looked after our staff over the past 18 months but it’s a great reward for all the effort.”

David added that retail still drives him forward: “You have to get out of bed in the morning and this is a business that makes you want to do that. I still get a great kick out of doing that. You’ve got to focus in on the detail and that seven days a week, your store is at the level it needs to be.”

Editor of ConvenienceStore.co.uk Aidan Fortune commented: “David and his team are constantly innovating and investing in the store, placing the customer at the very heart of every decision they make.

“Throughout the pandemic, they worked hard to ensure their shoppers had everything they needed, from maintaining a steady supply of grocery essentials to introducing new services like home delivery and a hot food brand.

“Our judging panel had an extremely tough job deciding on the finalists and winners. Even with everything that retailers have had to face over the past 18 months, they have displayed fantastic resilience and a willingness to take their businesses to the next level.”

Jill Livesey, managing director at Lumina Intelligence, and Lorraine Hendle, managing director at The Grocer and Conveniencestore.co.uk, said, “UK convenience retail is thriving, with retailers cementing their positions at the heartbeat of local communities.

“Innovation has been key to growth, with convenience retailers leading the way within UK food and drink through tech enhancements, sustainability measures, partnerships and at-home occasions.

“Huge congratulations must go to our winners; however, every single award was incredibly closely contested, showcasing the high standards set across the entire industry.”

The Convenience Awards are hosted by ConvenienceStore.co.uk, The Grocer and Lumina Intelligence to recognise the very best people, retailers, businesses and initiatives from across the convenience retail industry. This year’s event took place on 14th September at The Londoner Hotel.

Blakemore Retail’s Intake store in Doncaster was also shortlisted for Multiple Managed Convenience Store of the Year at the awards.

In the research categories, the SPAR symbol group won two titles: The Shoppers’ Favourite Convenience Fascia for Chilled & Frozen and The Retailers’ Favourite Convenience Fascia for Category Support. 

This is the second year running that one of A.F. Blakemore's independent SPAR retailers has scooped the top prize at The Convenience Awards. Last year Conrad Davies was crowned Convenience Retailer of the Year for his Y Maes store in Pwllheli. 
 

David Charman (centre) on stage with awards host Rebecca Adlington and Editor of ConvenienceStore.co.uk Aidan Fortune 

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