Northern Ireland’s most prestigious awards for the retail industry, the NR Awards are the annual focus point for all retailers, brand owners, service providers and all top executives.

Entries can now be accepted via our website, with a host of exciting and definitive categories available to enter.

Winning a Neighbourhood Retailer award is a benchmark of success and it is a highly coveted prize within the industry, as well as being highly motivational for the entire retail team.

The dynamic behind the NR Awards is Neighbourhood Retailer magazine, now published in digital format with more than 8000 e-subscribers and a monthly reach of almost 86,000 across all digital assets – magazine, website, e-newsletter (INsight) and social media.

Neighbourhood Retailer is the leading magazine for NI’s grocery trade, reaching all decision makers in supermarkets, independent grocers, symbols, garage forecourts, delis, butchers, pharmacies and off licences.

The date for this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards gala dinner has already been revealed – so mark your calendars for Friday 18^th October at the Crowne Plaza Belfast.

All the top names in Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector will gather for our star-studded awards, a must-attend on the annual calendar. All finalists are complimentary VIP guests at the gala dinner.

So don’t miss out on your chance to be part of something special – get your entries in now for the 2024 NR Awards!

The post Get your entries in for the 2024 Neighbourhood Retailer Awards! first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Drinks Inc is sponsoring the Neighbourhood Store of the Year Category 3 at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

In addition to sponsoring an award at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards, Drinks Inc will supply the wine for the tables on the night, namely Mucho Mas Black Edition Red and Mucho Mas White.

Trading Manager (Wine) at Drinks Inc, James McLornan tells NR about the company’s wine portfolio and training provided.

“I’ve been working as the Wine Buyer for Drinks Inc for the past three years. Since taking up the role, I’ve been focused on refreshing our wine portfolio, securing exciting and fast-growing new wine agencies like Dada Malbec and the new Mucho Mas Range, while also growing sales on our well-established wine agencies like Beronia Rioja and the extremely popular Most Wanted wine range.

“As an approved WSET educator, we’re providing WSET wine training throughout our own business and within lots of independently-owned off licences across Northern Ireland.

“In addition to this formal training, we are also providing extensive customer tasting evenings for off licence staff and their off licence customers. Plus, our annual wine portfolio tasting has proved extremely popular over the past few years allowing our customers to sample across our entire range while meeting the wine producers behind our wines,” added James.

“The great thing about the wine category is that every day is a school day for all of us, you just never stop learning within the wine business. Plus, the more informed we are then the more likely we’ll be in convincing consumers to be more adventurous with their wine choices.”

To find out more, visit https://www.drinksinc.com/

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The night was a rousing success for County Down store, Milestone Rathfriland who scooped a total of four awards including the coveted Northern Ireland Retailer of the Year 2023 title.

One of Neighbourhood Retailer’s most successful winners, this is the fourth time they have taken the prestigious award home.

Owner and director of the Milestone, Tom McAvoy is a well-known and highly respected name right across Northern Ireland and this year was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A deserving winner, the 550-strong audience took to their feet, giving Tom a standing ovation as he received his award on stage.

Indeed, the Milestone team snapped up other awards on the night, namely Neighbourhood Store of the Year Category 4 and Food to Go Store of the Year, marking a hugely successful year for the County Down store.

Now in their 26^th year, the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards are the annual showcase of industry excellence and hundreds of the country’s leading retailers gathered in the ballroom, waiting with anticipation to find out this year’s winners.

Hosted by Donna Traynor, the winning stores in 19 categories were announced over the course of the gala awards evening, appearing on stage to collect their awards.

With another record year for entries, this was a fantastic awards evening for winners and finalists on the night – with two stores also Highly Commended in their respective categories – Daly’s Service Station Dungannon in Outstanding Customer Service and McDade’s Centra Clogher in Forecourt of the Year Category 2.

Huge congratulations to all of our winners and finalists on the night – find out the full list of winners below.

Retailer of the Year 2023:

Winner: Milestone Rathfriland

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Tom McAvoy

Store Manager of the Year:

Winner: Wendy Camley of McDade’s Centra in Clogher

Neighbourhood Store of the Year Cat 1:

Winner: ViVO Essentials Ballygowan

Outstanding Customer Service:

Winner: McAtamney’s Traditional Butchers

CTN of the Year:

Winner: McCullagh’s Centra Campsie Road, Omagh

Neighbourhood Store of the Year Cat 2:

Winner: ViVO Dromore

Bakery of the Year:

Winner: The Heatherlea

Off Licence of the Year:

Winner: Hughes Foodhall Camlough

Neighbourhood Store of the Year Cat 3:

Winner: Eurospar Cullybackey

New Product Launch of the Year:

Winner: Carnbrooke Lisburn

Community Store of the Year:

Winner: Creighton’s Finaghy

Neighbourhood Store of the Year Cat 4:

Winner: Milestone Rathfriland

Butcher of the Year:

Winner: Cunningham’s Butchers

Forecourt of the Year Cat 1:

Winner: Eurospar Ladas Drive

Food to Go Store of the Year:

Winner: Milestone Rathfriland

Fresh Food Store of the Year:

Winner: Spar Castlederg

Forecourt of the Year Cat 2:

Winner: McCullagh’s Classic

Newcomer of the Year:

Winner: Lynch’s Eurospar Greysteel

Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year:

Winner: Musgrave NI

We will have a special awards supplement in the next issue of Neighbourhood Retailer, coming soon!

The post A Milestone year for Rathfriland retailer Tom McAvoy at NR Awards! first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Flogas is sponsoring the Best Customer Service category at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

A leader supplier of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), Natural Gas and Electricity across the island of Ireland, Flogas services a wide range of market sectors and applications including industrial, commercial, domestic, catering, agricultural and automotive markets.

Since commencing business in 1978, Flogas has steadily built a reputation for service and reliability with nationwide coverage. Indeed, with a total LPG storage capacity of almost 6,500 tonnes, they operate the largest marine and inland LPG storage facilities in Ireland.

Flogas is a widely recognised brand, primarily because of its conspicuous signage found in nearly every town and village in Ireland, a result of its reliable network of retail partners. It has become a trusted name in the energy business, known for high quality products and effective marketing that boosts individual retailers’ visibility and attracts customers.

Safety First remains a priority, demonstrated through a rigorous cylinder retesting program and secure seals. A community approach allows their partner retailers to not only provide essential energy to their local community but also allows them to establish their business as a vital support system. As an Irish company, Flogas supports local jobs and communities making it a satisfying and mutually beneficial relationship.

Flogas Ireland’s group of companies is in a unique position as the only energy supplier across the island of Ireland that can offer its customers a wide range of fuels including; LPG, BioLPG, Flogas Natural Gas, Clearpower Renewables, and Budget Energy Electricity!

To find out more, visit https://www.flogas.ie/ and https://www.flogasni.com

The post ‘A reputation for service and reliability’ – Flogas first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

JustMist Wholesale is sponsoring the Off Licence of the Year category at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

JustMist Wholesale Ltd is the leading disposable vaping wholesaler in Northern Ireland and have been established in the region for the last 12 years.

JustMist Wholesale’s office head office is based in Northern Ireland, and they also have sales staff in the Republic of Ireland.

JustMist Wholesale Ltd offers a two-day delivery service to the Republic of Ireland and a one-day delivery service to Northern Ireland. The company is also one of the leading wholesalers in Ireland for different brands of disposable vapes.

“After extensive research in the vaping market, we have introduced the 12 most popular flavours, so there is sure to be something for everyone’s tastebuds,” said Lisa Watson, business development manager with JustMist Wholesale Ltd.

In the last few months, they have launched a new product in the JustMist family, the exciting Misty Crystal, which joined their new brand, Misty Mary.

“Disposable vapes offer a more convenient way to enjoy your favourite flavours of e-liquids without the hassle of changing coils or refilling liquids,” added Lisa.

“As well as our new brand, Misty Mary, we have our other highly popular JustMist Bars in 20 different flavours,” said Lisa.

“We are also stockists of the popular Lost Mary, with over 34 flavours, Elf Bar, with over 15 flavours, and we recently added Gold Bars, which has over 20 flavours, to our portfolio.”

Director of JustMist Wholesale, Robert Clarke added: “As the first established vape business in the whole island of Ireland, we are committed to bringing the best and most affordable vape products to the retailers and consumers.”

To find out more, visit www.justmist.co.uk

The post ‘Committed to bringing the best and most affordable vape products to NI’ first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.