Ritchies Maclean store has won the IGA International Retailer of the Year Award for 2023. This is an enormous achievement for Store Manager Matt Saunders and the Ritchies Maclean store team.
To win this coveted award, Ritchies Maclean firstly took out the title of Queensland IGA Store of the Year, and then Australian IGA Retailer of the Year. In the biggest accomplishment of all, Ritchies Maclean was announced as the International Retailer of the Year at an event in Las Vegas, attended by several of Ritchies’ directors, Queensland State Manager, Maclean Store Manager, and some of the Maclean landlords.
“It is fair to say, the Ritchies delegates enjoyed the celebrations,” Ritchies Stores CEO Fred Harrison said. “Whilst we don’t open supermarkets and liquor stores to win awards, when they do come along and we are successful, then all credit to us.”
At the prestigious awards ceremony, Store Manager Matt Saunders, QNN State Manager Peter Lee, and Company Director James Cameron appeared on stage to accept the award. Each recipient was presented with an IGA International Retailer of the Year jacket and an IGA (shazam) ring. Mr Cameron made an acceptance speech on behalf of the company.
This is the fourth time Ritchies has won the title of International Retailer of the Year, with Dromana (2003), Ballina (2008), Dromana (2019) previous winners, and now Maclean in 2023.
“To win this award once is an outstanding achievement, never mind winning it four times,” Mr Harrison said. “In fact, Ritchies has won the title of Australian Retailer of the Year more times than any other retailer in the country.”
“This has involved an enormous team effort – right from the moment we were offered the site from Metcash, around 10 years ago,” he said.
“On behalf of our company directors and our National Operations Group (NATOG), we would like to thank and congratulate each team member who has contributed to the success of Maclean, right from the planning and development stage and from the day we commenced trading there in 2019,” Mr Harrison said.
“We would also like to thank our landlords, who purchased the property and then waited patiently for a number of years, whilst we waited on council DA’s and other applications. It took a long time, but it has certainly been well worth it.”
“It is important to note that our customers are our ultimate judge, as they determine our success or otherwise,” he said. “From day one, we have been well supported by the local community and others who live out of town. We are fortunate to also have a number of tourists shop with us, when holidaying in the Northern Rivers region. Customer feedback has generally been outstanding.”
Mr Saunders has been a member of the Maclean team from opening day. “A massive well done to Matt and our entire Maclean team on being recognised as the International Retailer of the Year. This is an incredible feat for a store that only commenced trading in October 2019,” Mr Harrison said. “We look forward to the continued success of Maclean long into the future.”
Ritchies was also awarded the IGA International Award for Community Giving, accepted by Mal Cameron and Fred Harrison in recognition of the significant contribution through the Ritchies Card program.
“Since its inception, we have donated almost $53 million. It is a fabulous to be recognised on the international stage for the great support we have provided to our local communities over many, many years,” Mr Harrison said.
“As a great independent supermarket, we are proud to be judged at the top with the very best of them. We look forward to the continued success of our Maclean store, our Company and our Ritchies Card program.”
