Neighbourhood Retailer 2020 – The Award Categories

Entering the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards has never been easier, and with 19 categories to enter there are opportunities for every kind of retailer.

We are delighted to announce that 2020’s sponsor is Camelot

Camelot

 

We’ve listed each category and criteria below to give you the best chance of success in the biggest industry awards of the year!

Make sure you read the criteria before completing your entry form.

The criteria for each award are as follows:

Neighbourhood Retailer of the Year

Sponsored by Moy Park

The Retailer of the Year is selected from the winners of each of the categories. In the final stages of adjudication, they also receive a site visit and an intensive interview and audit by judges.

NEW! Food-to-go Store of the Year

The judges will be looking for a store with ahot and cold food facility that clearly meets and exceeds the requirements of its customers. Innovative choices and immediate visual impact in terms of the food offering as well as quality of the food and value for money will be of particular importance.  Judges will also consider the breadth of the range and how this caters for customers at different times of the day and also how promotional initiatives help drive the food to go sales. Customer service, hygiene standards and specialist product knowledge will be taken into consideration when judging this award.  This category will be judged initially by mystery visit

NEW! New Product Launch of the Year

This award is open to any business that has introduced a new product to the retail, foodservice or forecourt markets in an innovative way to reach their marketplace effectively and successfully.  Entrants should give evidence of the content, the types of different media used, the results achieved and how these have increased awareness, attracted new customers and increased sales. This award will be judged by written submission.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by NisaNisa logo

The Lifetime Achievement Award is decided by the Neighbourhood Retailer editorial board. While the board may nominate an individual based on their perceived contribution to the industry, nominations and self-nominations are welcome.

Neighbourhood Store of the Year, Category 1 (up to 1,750 sq ft)

Sponsored by Coca Cola  Coca Cola

Judges of Category 1 stores look at all aspects of the customer offering particularly the merchandising, store services and customer care. This award is for Neighbourhood Stores no larger than 1,750 sq ft.

Neighbourhood Store of the Year, Category 2 (1,751 – 3,500 sq ft)

Judges of Category 2 stores look at all aspects of the customer offering particularly the merchandising, store services and customer care. This award is for Neighbourhood Stores no larger than 3,500 sq ft.

Neighbourhood Store of the Year, Category 3 (3,501 to 7,000 sq ft)

Judges of Category 3 stores look at all aspects of the customer offering particularly the merchandising, store services and customer care. This award is for Neighbourhood Stores no larger than 7,000 sq ft.

Neighbourhood Store of the Year, Category 4 (7,001 plus)

EDGE e-liquid

Sponsored by EDGE e-liquid 

Judges of Category 3 stores look at a ll aspects of the customer offering particularly the merchandising, store services and customer care. This award is for Neighbourhood Stores larger than 7,001 sq ft.

Best Customer Service

Sponsored by Bobby’s 

The judges will be looking for a convenience store which provides excellent service to customers through their commitment to customer care and the provision of an appropriate range of services and facilities. Specific criteria will include a clean and well maintained forecourt and store area, welcoming and well presented staff providing efficient service, and clean and tidy washrooms.  This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.

Forecourt of the Year – Category 1 – with convenience store (up to 1,750 sq ft)

This category is open to any forecourt with a convenience store which is smaller than 1,750 sq ft. Each forecourt with adjoining convenience store entered will be required to identify clearly the size category into which it fits. Judges of this category will assess the levels of forecourt standards as appropriate to the size of the site and store. This will include:

  • A clean and attractive forecourt area with convenient and well maintained services.
  • An inviting and well stocked convenience store which provides an exceptional shopping experience.

The process will judge how well the product range and services reflect the size of the store and forecourt and entrants will gain higher scores by providing value added services  which enhance the customer experience on the forecourt and in the store.  These categories will be judged initially by mystery visits.

Forecourt Store of the Year, Category 2 with convenience store (1,751 sq ft plus)

Sponsored by Imperial Tobacco 

This category is open to any forecourt with a convenience store which is larger than 1,750 sq ft. Each forecourt with adjoining convenience store entered will be required to identify clearly the size category into which it fits. Judges of this category will assess the levels of forecourt standards as appropriate to the size of the site and store. This will include:

  • A clean and attractive forecourt area with convenient and well maintained services.
  • An inviting and well stocked convenience store which provides an exceptional shopping experience.

The process will judge how well the product range and services reflect the size of the store and forecourt and entrants will gain higher scores by providing value added services  which enhance the customer experience on the forecourt and in the store.  These categories will be judged initially by mystery visits.

CTN of the Year

The category is specifically for confectionery, tobacco and newsagent stores and not general convenience stores. The judges will be looking for a CTN, which clearly meets the needs of its customers and stocks an extensive variety of CTN products. The specific criteria will include the following:

  • Product range, available services and facilities, access and parking.
  • Merchandising and display including layout, signage and presentation.
  • Customer service including staff availability, efficiency, specialist product knowledge and level of staff engagement.

This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.

Fresh Food Store of the Year

The popularity of fresh food shows no signs of abating, it’s one of the most definitive measures of any store’s ability to innovate. Is your store known for its fresh produce? Do you market fresh food in a new and interesting way? If you think your store is defined by the excellence of its fresh food offering, then this is the category for you…

Newcomer of the Year

This category will be judged against the appropriate criteria for the type and size of the store and must be in business not more than two years up to and including June 19, 2020. This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.

Pharmacy of the Year

The judges will be looking for a pharmacy that meets the needs of the community it serves and has a high quality range of services combined with friendly and efficient service, the specific criteria will include the following:

  • Product range, available services and facilities, access and parking.
  • Merchandising and display including layout, signage and presentation.
  • Customer service including staff availability, efficiency, specialist product knowledge and level of staff engagement.

This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.

Off-Licence of the Year

This award is open to all off-licensed premises. The judges will be looking for an off-licence that clearly meets the needs of its customers and stocks an extensive variety of wines, beers, spirits and related products. Judges will be looking for exceptional customer service, staff with extensive product knowledge, and outstanding in store merchandising and display. This category will be judged by mystery visit.

Community Store of the Year

Finalists in the Community Store of the Year award category will be required to have a full and active role in their local communities, with demonstrable examples of philanthropy and social enterprise.

Unlike all other categories, the Community Store of the Year Award winner is judged by public vote.

Store Manager of the Year

The Store Manager of the Year is selected from the entrants who have been nominated or have self-nominated by completing a detailed written submission. In the final stages of adjudication they attend an intensive interview with the judging panel.

The judging criteria focuses on a number of areas:

  • Measurable business success
  • Staff development
  • Their approach to containing cost and improving margin
  • Customer focus
  • Innovation

Bakery of the Year

This category is open to all independent bakeries or in store bakeries that provide a range of products that keep their customers coming back. Judges will be looking for both innovative and traditional products to suit customer demand. Stores will be judged on the merchandising and presentation, counter services and pre-pack offering, quality, freshness and value for money. Customer service, hygiene standards and specialist product knowledge will be taken into consideration when judging this award.  This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.

Butcher of the Year

This category is open to all independent butcher shops or in store butchers that can demonstrate expertise in their craft.  Judges will be looking for an innovative and exciting range of products coupled with expert product knowledge and outstanding customer care.  Stores will be judged on the merchandising and presentation, counter services and pre-pack offering, quality of products and value for money. Customer service, hygiene standards and specialist product knowledge will be taken into consideration when judging this award.  This category will be judged initially by mystery visit