As the countdown to the NR 2023 Awards continue, we take a look back to our 2022 winners, who tell us how it felt to win a Neighbourhood Retailer Award and what it means to them, their team and their business.

Winner of the Store Manager of the Year was Ruairi McBride, from Ivan Wilson Centra in Limavady, who impressed the judges with his attention to detail and “deep understanding” of the working of the business.

Describing the award win as “unexpected” Ruairi said he was delighted to be part of the evening celebrating all the good work the retail industry does in Northern Ireland.

“Just to be nominated was a huge compliment and the standard of the other finalists was so high, and they rightly deserved to be there and showcased for performing at the highest level,” said Ruairi.

The independent judges said teamwork and individual recognition were “integral to the overall plan to achieve objectives set and the focus on customer experience produced very positive results”.

They added Ruairi had been “able to explain how exceptional business improvement had been achieved through a number of innovative initiatives to increase customer engagement and drive sales”.

“This energy and commitment underpinned by the experience and confidence demonstrated has made this manager the winner of the award,” they added.

Following his win, Ruairi was quick to heap praise on his whole team, saying they deserved the award as much as he did.

“Winning this award is only possible because of the hard work my team do and because they have fully bought in to what the company’s goals are,” he said.

“When the judging process is going on, it’s the team that is doing all the hard work. I might have the ideas, but it’s entirely down to the team what is done in the store.

“Personally, I would like to thank all my team for all their efforts and to the company directors for the support they give to me. This award is dedicated to all of you.”

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Ruairi is manager of Ivan Wilson Limited Centra in Limavady and received high acclaim from the Spotcheck judges, who were also impressed with his “attention to detail”.

Ruairi said winning the award was “so unexpected” and said being nominated was “a huge compliment”.

“The standard of the other finalists was so high, and they rightly deserved to be there and showcased for performing at the highest level,” said Ruairi.

Independently judged by Spotcheck, the awards are judged to exacting standards over a three-month period.

Now in their 26^th year, the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards reward excellence, recognise achievement, raise industry standards and reward entrepreneurial spirit.

Judges noted that: “Teamwork and individual recognition were integral to the overall plan to achieve objectives set and the focus on the customer experience has produced very positive results.

“They were able to explain how exceptional business improvement had been achieved through a combination of a number of innovative initiatives to increase customer engagement and drive sales. This energy and commitment underpinned by the experience and confidence demonstrated has made this manager the winner of the award,” they added.

“Winning this award is only possible because of the hard work my team do and because they have fully bought in to what the company’s goals are,” said Ruairi.

“I would like to thank all my team for all their efforts and to the Company Directors for the support they give to me. This award is dedicated to all of you.”

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The appetite for this year’s awards has been immense and we have received more than 500 entries to this year’s competition, which has been independently judged by industry specialists Spotcheck NI to rigorous standards.

To reach this stage of the competition is a major achievement, and we’re looking forward to meeting all the finalists at the NR Gala Awards Dinner on October 28 at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast.

The finalists for the Store Manager of the Year award are:

• Niall Kirkpatrick, Centra Portglenone
• Craig Crossey-Truesdale, SPAR Dublin Road
• Chris Lawlor, EUROSPAR Donegall Road
• Ruairi McBride, Ivan Wilson Limited Centra
• Samuel McCann, SPAR Malone Road
• Elaine Sharwin, SuperValu Downpatrick
• John Fox, EUROSPAR Kilkeel

The post Neighbourhood Retailer Awards: finalists for Store Manager of the Year award first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.