The top performing Independent Grocers of Australia (IGA) stores have been recognised at the prestigious annual IGA Awards of Excellence on the stunning Gold Coast.
The awards acknowledge each winning store’s dedicated commitment to community and local enterprise, heralding them as the benchmark for IGA’s over 1400 store national network.
Victorian-based retail group, The Ritchies Group took out the top award of the night, the IGA National Retailer of the Year, fighting off stiff competition from NSW/ACT group Romeo’s Food Hall.
The award came after The Ritchies Group snagged three earlier gongs, being named the Supa IGA Store of the Year, the SUPA IGA Bakery Department of the Year and being presented the Retail Transformation and Innovation Award.
The awards were presented by Scott Marshall, Metcash CEO of Supermarkets and Convenience and Ian Ashcroft, Chair of the IGA National Retailer Council.
Marshall said the awards were a valid reflection of the dedication and commitment demonstrated by each team and set a strong example for the rest of the network.
“These awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the dedication, passion and excellence that IGA stores have demonstrated over the past year,” Marshall said.
“IGA retailers go above and beyond to deliver a tailored and stand out customer experience for their local shoppers and we’re delighted to recognise their outstanding achievements, and contribution to the independent retail grocery industry.”
For IGA retailers, the awards take into account not only sales, profits and department excellence, but also community contribution, customer service, brand values and shopper experience, highlighting the brand’s customer and community-centric approach.
The awards take place each year at a gala dinner during the Metcash Food and Grocery Expo, which is visited by over 6,000 retailers and suppliers looking to experience the latest in food trends, products and best practise to bring shoppers at their local IGA.
The IGA network is comprised of over 1,400 independently owned stores and serves as the largest network of supermarkets in Australia.