Robert Foster, store manager of EUROSPAR Cullybackey (left) and David Agnew from Henderson Retail (right) are pictured with Lisa Andrews from category sponsor, Drinks Inc.
EUROSPAR Cullybackey has won a prestigious award at the Neighbourhood Retailer (NR) Awards.
The store was named Neighbourhood Store of the Year (category 3), taking the title from eight other local retailers who were named as finalists in the category.
EUROSPAR Cullybackey went under major refurbishments in 2021 to expand its offering of top quality products and services to the local community.
The team is central to the local community, often supporting local community groups, charities and sports teams. Earlier in the year, Sharon Nicholl, a member of the EUROSPAR Cullybackey team took part in a skydive in aid of Cancer Fund for Children. In support of Sharon, the store held instore collections and fundraising events including a quiz night at the bowling club in Ballymena with staff, family and friends. The store’s Duty Manager, Andrew Duff, has also been a volunteer at the charity since 2016 starting as a fundraising administration volunteer and recently becoming a youth volunteer.
Finalists in this category were judged on all aspects of retail excellence, with account merchandising, promotions, facilities available for customers and the overall customer experience all taken into consideration.
EUROSPAR Cullybackey was praised for meeting all these criteria by the mystery shoppers:
“This store has an impressive range of merchandise specialising in local suppliers and producers,” said the judges.
“Attractive merchandising and effective display enhanced the offering and staff were engaging and available,” they added.
Robert Foster, store manager, described the win as “amazing”, stating:
“We’re delighted to have been named neighbourhood store of the year, it is so good for all the staff back at the shop as their hard work has been recognised. Our community is so important to us and we’re glad we can provide the highest quality products for our shoppers while supporting local suppliers”.
Mark McCammond, Retail Director at Henderson Group which owns the EUROSPAR brand in Northern Ireland, commented:
“Congratulations to all at EUROSPAR Cullybackey. The store is clearly an important part of the community, ensuring they provide retailing excellence, but also putting their efforts into local charities. A very well-deserved award for the store.”
EUROSPAR Cullybackey was one of eight SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO stores to bring home Neighbourhood Retailer Awards on the night with Creightons of Finaghy picking up Community Store of the Year, ViVO Essentials Ballygowan picking up Neighbourhood Store of the Year (category 1), ViVO Dromore picking up Neighbourhood Store of the Year (category 2), EUROSPAR Ladas Drive picking up Forecourt of the Year (category 1), McCullagh’s Classic picking up Forecourt of the Year (category 2), SPAR Castlederg picking up Fresh Food Store of the Year and Lynch’s EUROSPAR Greysteel picking up Newcomer of the Year.