The annual IGA Awards of Excellence were held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on February 16.
Three exemplary stores, White’s IGA Peregian Beach, Ritchies SUPA IGA Boonah and IGA X-press Bowen Hills, all in Queensland, were recognised after winning the key awards for IGA Store of the Year, SUPA IGA Store of the Year and IGA X-Press Store of the Year, respectively.
The IGA awards represent the highest example of retail excellence and demonstrate the store’s ability to grow in challenging competitive environments.
The awards formally recognise the dedicated efforts of the stores and their staff in the local community and herald the winning stores as the benchmark for other IGA supermarkets across the retail network.
The awards were presented to the stores team by Queensland and Northern NSW IGA State Board Chairman Frank Spano and General Manager of Metcash Food & Grocery QNN, Roy Leisk.
Mr Spano said: “Leading Queensland stores have performed exceptionally well and we’re proud to support independent supermarkets across the state that deliver a great retail experience to our local community. We acknowledge the hard work and commitment our stores have demonstrated throughout the year across all categories awarded tonight.
“Congratulations to White’s IGA Peregian Beach, Ritchies SUPA IGA Boonah and IGA X-press Bowen Hills for being recognised as leaders in independent retailing. These stores demonstrate exceptional retail standards, team work and a fantastic overall shopping experience.”
Eighteen department awards were presented, with the full list of winners outlined below:
White’s IGA Peregian Beach:
IGA Store of the Year.
IGA Bakery Department of the Year Award.
IGA Dairy/Freezer Department of the Year Award.
IGA Delicatessen Department of the Year Award.
IGA Grocery & GM Department of the Year Award.
Ritchies SUPA IGA Boonah:
SUPA IGA Store of the Year.
SUPA IGA Bakery Department of the Year Award.
SUPA IGA Fresh Produce Department of the Year Award.
IGA X-press Bowen Hills: IGA X-press Store of the Year.
Terry Slaughter – IGA Springfield Lakes: Community Award.
SUPA IGA Bli Bli: SUPA IGA Delicatessen of the Year.
Mark Pettit – IGA Tweed Valley Way: Team Member/Rising Star Award.
Cornetts SUPA IGA Port Douglas: SUPA IGA Dairy/Freezer Department of the Year Award.
SUPA IGA Atherton: SUPA IGA Meat Department of the Year Award.
IGA North Buderim: IGA Fresh Produce Department of the Year Award.
IGA Meadowbrook: IGA Customer Service Award.
IGA Mt Cotton: IGA Meat Department of the Year Award.
IGA X-press Alexandra Hills: IGA X-Press Small Format Store Innovation Award.
IGA Deagon: Retail Transformation & Innovation Award.