SPAR Parkwest Voted Ireland’s Best Convenience Store
SPAR Parkwest in Dublin scooped the Supreme Award National Convenience Store of the Year 2013 at the ShelfLife C-Store Awards last week, making it officially the best convenience store in Ireland.
“With consistent and unparalleled store standards throughout every department, SPAR Parkwest is the best in the country and the standard to which all other stores should aspire”, was how the judges described it.
Owners David and Shirley Bagnall have now won the coveted top award four times and also picked up the Best Food To Go Department trophy.
And they weren’t the only ones – other BWG winners included XL Eyre Square Galway, which won Best News Department 2013, SPAR An Rinn, Co Waterford, which won Miondioltoir Gaeilge na Bliana 2013, Maxol MACE, The Bypass, Clonakilty, which won Forecourt Retailer of the Year, Conway’s SPAR Rathoath, which won Best C-Store Off-Licence, Matthew Monaghan, XL, Salthill, Galway, who won the Staff Development Award and SPAR Express Junction 14, which won Best Confectionery Display 2013.
Overall winner David Bagnall said re-investing in his store and staff even during tough economic times was his secret to keeping ahead of the competition.
He said, “SPAR Parkwest is based in a business park, and like all business parks it suffered from lack of occupation. We decided to have a significant refresh and to really concentrate on food service.
“It was a major investment, and we had fantastic support from BWG Foods and SPAR Ireland. We launched the ‘Tasty Deli’ concept, put in a large seating area, and did a lot of work on category management and space allocation. Equally importantly we invested in upskilling our staff, especially on customer service.
“I’m absolutely delighted with the win, not just for myself and Shirley, but for everyone in the SPAR Parkwest team.”
The ShelfLife Awards, now in their 13th year, were established to acknowledge stores and individuals that set the standards for the industry.