Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:59:00 GMT
Avoca wins Retail Store of the Year award at the 2008 FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards
Irish retailers are facing down the current economic situation by innovating and investing in their formats. Last night, some of the best were recognised at the 2008 FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards.
Dublin store, Avoca has scooped the title of Retail Store of the Year award at this year’s FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards. Last night, a multitude of the country’s retailers gathered at a glittering event in the plush Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny to recognise some of their most innovative colleagues in the country.
This year, 432 stores entered the awards, and competition was fiercer than ever. There was a new dimension to selecting winners at this year’s awards, as stores were divided into Best Small Store, Best Medium Store, Best Large Store and Best Extra Large Store categories, rather than the previous geography based process.
The overall Best Retail Company in Ireland Award was presented to Fields Jewellers. The company has rolled out a truly impressive growth strategy over the past year, purchasing 34 Fraser Hart stores in the UK. For the first time ever, three sub categories were introduced in this category - Best Employer – O2 Ireland, Best Industry Leader – Butlers Chocolate Cafes and Best Business Growth – Fields Jewellers.
Retail Excellence Ireland and FBD Insurance have continued their relationship with the awards, with FBD Insurance sponsoring the event for the eighth consecutive year. Miriam O’Callaghan added her charm and wit to the evening by compering the event.
For the second year running, Dundrum Town Centre was awarded the title of Shopping Centre of the Year. The Supplier of the Year award went to JJ O’Toole Limited, a supplier of carrier bags to some of Ireland’s best known retailers.
The Retail Manager of the Year award was hotly contested but was competently won by Andrew Fallon of SuperValu in Merchant’s Quay, Cork for his impressive track record and management style.
Speaking at Lyrath Estate last night, David Fitzsimons, CEO, Retail Excellence Ireland, said: "Once again, we have been astounded by the high standards of Ireland’s retail industry. Our judging panel was faced with tough choices in making its decision. Congratulations must go to all our finalists, who continue to contribute greatly to the retail industry in Ireland. Each highlights the strength of the retail industry here, and continues to raise the standards for competitors."
The judges rated performance based on more than 50 variables, including standard of exterior, use of windows, footfall management and service. A thorough mystery shop was carried out on all stores, after which the top 100 were selected for a rigorous store assessment. From those, the Top50 were selected.
Adrian Taheny, Marketing Director, FBD Insurance, said: "As the value of retail sales in Ireland currently stands at €30.61 billion, it is a very important sector for the country. We are very proud to support these Awards which support the innovation, investment and extensive skill base visible in this sector, which combine to make it one of Ireland’s most competitive industries."
The winners at this year’s FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards were as follows:
National Retail Store of the Year
Avoca, Rathcoole, Naas Road, Co Dublin
Best Small Store
Winner: Butlers Chocolate Café, Blanchardstown Centre, D 15
Finalists: 3 Store, Henry Street, D1
ECCO, Patrick Street, Cork
Fields Jewellers, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
Hugh Maguire Craft Butchers, Ashbourne Town Centre, Co Meath
The Sony Centre, 35 St Stephen’s Green, D2
Best Medium Store
Winner: Mr. James For Men, Main Street, Cavan
Finalists: Classic Tiles, Liosbaun Industrial Estate, Galway
O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bar, Arklow, Co Wicklow
Sage and Stone, Navan, Co Meath
Sam McCauley Chemist, Mahon Point SC, Cork
Topaz, Dublin Port, Dublin 1
Best Large Store
Winner: Nolan's Butchers, Kilcullen, Co Kildare
Finalists: Gerard Anthony Menswear, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon
Hughes & Hughes, St Stephens Green SC, D 2
Health Express Mullingar Pharmacy, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
O’Briens Wine Beer & Spirits, Sandyford, D 18
Unicarepharmacy, Charleville Town Centre, Co Cork
Best Extra Large Store
Winner: Avoca, Rathcoole, Co Dublin
Finalists: Donnybrook Fair, Donnybrook, D4
Lifestyle Sports, Blanchardstown Fashion Retail Park, D 15
Rathwood, Tullow, Co Carlow
Superquinn, Lucan, Co Dublin
Tilestyle, Ballymount Retail Centre, D24
Company of the Year 2008
Fields Jewellers
Company of the Year – Best Employer
Winner: O2
Finalists: Topaz
Unicarepharmacy
Company of the Year – Industry Leader
Winner: Butlers Chocolate Cafes
Finalists: Hughes & Hughes Booksellers
Superquinn
Company of the Year – Business Growth
Winner: Fields Jewellers
Finalists: Avoca
O’Briens Wine, Beer & Spirits