——— Award Sponsors ———
Spar / Texaco, Junction 14, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare named Convenience Store of the Year at ShelfLife C-Store Awards 2021
Exceptional standards of Ireland’s convenience store sector celebrated at national industry event
Friday, 11 March 2022: Spar / Texaco, Junction 14 in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare has been named National Convenience Store of the Year 2021, beating off stiff competition to scoop the ultimate accolade at the ShelfLife National C-Store Awards 2021.
Following another challenging year for Ireland’s convenience retail sector on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic, ShelfLife was once again delighted to celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s exceptional convenience stores in true style with our return to an in-person event last night.
The country’s top retailers and brands gathered at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire to attend the prestigious ceremony. Held in association with Cuisine de France and The National Lottery, the ShelfLife C-Store Awards – now in their 20th year – are the only comprehensive and independently judged business accolades for the convenience store sector.
Together with returning master of ceremonies Marty Whelan, ShelfLife welcomed 330 guests from across the industry. Awards were presented across 24 categories in total, celebrating the industry’s finest stores, people and brands in a diverse range of areas.
The judges said of this year’s Supreme National Winner, Spar / Texaco, Junction 14 in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare: “The overall Supreme Champion Award winner consistently delivers excellent customer service, with first-class foodservice and friendly, helpful staff. With a wide array of fresh food options available, customers are spoilt for choice and our Supreme Winner’s reputation for high standards across the board has resulted in this store becoming a real destination spot.
“High-spec, well-proportioned facilities are spotlessly clean. Coupled with an easy-to-navigate layout and high-speed WiFi, this has created a store to which customers are keen to return.
“The quality throughout this winning store is clear, even down to the smallest detail. A store truly designed with the customer’s comfort and convenience top of mind.”
Commenting on the awards ceremony, ShelfLife publisher John McDonald said: “We were absolutely delighted to celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s leading convenience retailers in-person once again, after two years of almost no physical events.
“Retailers have faced huge challenges during the pandemic – not least of which, difficulties with staff rostering due to isolation restrictions. However, Ireland’s convenience retail teams have responded to all the myriad challenges in a rapid and professional manner, with the safety of colleagues and customers kept front-of-mind at all times.
“Not only that, but Ireland’s convenience stores have in fact strengthened ties with their local communities even further, with many going the extra mile to assist and support their vulnerable customers. This is a real testament to the professionalism and dedication of our leading c-stores, truly at the beating heart of their communities.”
ShelfLife editor Gillian Hamill added: “Despite the unique cocktail of challenges facing retailers throughout 2021, from staff shortages to inflationary pressures; high standards have never faltered. Once again, our judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of entrants across the country. All the winners should be extremely proud of themselves, their teams and the levels of service offered.
“The ShelfLife team would also like to express our sincere gratitude to all our award sponsors for their support which has made the ceremony possible and is greatly appreciated by us all.”
The full list of awards and winners were as follows:
| Food to Go Retailer of the Year (Bronze) Spar, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath Sponsored by Cuisine de France | Supplier of the Year Aryzta Sponsored by Gala |
| Food to Go Retailer of the Year (Silver) Spar, Little Island, Co. Cork Sponsored by Cuisine de France | Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Small) Bronze Costcutter / Swift Fuels, Burgess N25 Service Station, Killeagh, Co. Cork Sponsored by PCS |
| Food to Go Retailer of the Year (Gold) Spar / Texaco, Junction 14, Mayfield, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare Sponsored by Cuisine de France | Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Small) Silver Daybreak / Circle K, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Sponsored by PCS |
| Protein Section Display of the Year Spar, Greenhills, Monegall, Co. Offaly Sponsored by Fulfil | Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Small) Gold Costcutter / Applegreen, Lifford, Co. Donegal Sponsored by PCS |
| Phone Accessory Display of the Year Londis, DCU Glasnevin, Dublin 9 Sponsored by SmartBits | Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Large) Bronze Londis / Circle K, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Sponsored by PCS |
| C-Store Off-Licence Retailer of the Year Centra, Maugheraboy, Co. Sligo Sponsored by Bibendum Ireland | Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Large) Silver Gala / Circle K, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick Sponsored by PCS |
| Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year Spar, Little Island, Co. Cork Sponsored by Invest NI | Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Large) Gold Spar / Texaco, Junction 14, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare Sponsored by PCS |
| Staff Development Award Daybreak, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Sponsored by Payzone | Convenience Store of the Year (Small) Joint Bronze Spar, Back Lane, Lahinch, Co, Clare Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| Community Initiative of the Year Lynch’s Gala, Killydoon, Co. Cavan Sponsored by Kellogg’s | Convenience Store of the Year (Small) Joint Bronze Today’s, Finisklin Road, Co. Sligo Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| National Lottery Star Store Retailer of the Year (Runner up) Bergin’s Food Fair, 45 Parnell Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary Sponsored by The National Lottery | Convenience Store of the Year (Small) Silver Mace, 47 Thomas Street, Limerick City Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| National Lottery Star Store Retailer of the Year (Runner up) Hanley’s, Pearse Square, Fermoy, Co. Cork Sponsored by The National Lottery | Convenience Store of the Year (Small) Gold Spar, The Plaza, Park West Business Park, Dublin 12 Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| National Lottery Star Store Retailer of the Year (Gold) Supervalu, Main Street, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan Sponsored by The National Lottery | Convenience Store of the Year (Medium) Bronze Mace, Lissycasey, Ennis, Co. Clare Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| Best Impulse Offering XL, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 Sponsored by Excel Recruitment | Convenience Store of the Year (Medium) Silver Spar, Little Island, Co. Cork Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| Cuisine de France Bakery of the Year Eurospar Swords, Dublin 15 Sponsored by Cuisine de France | Convenience Store of the Year (Medium) Gold Centra, Lahinch Road, Ennis, Co. Clare Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| Retail Technology Supplier of the Year CBE Sponsored by Bank of Ireland | Convenience Store of the Year (Large) Bronze Londis McNamee’s, Darragh, Ennis, Co. Clare Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| New C-Store Product of the Year Cadbury Orange Twirl Sponsored by Spar | Convenience Store of the Year (Large) Silver Spar, Main Street, Croom, Co. Limerick Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| Marketing Campaign of the Year Heineken Sponsored by Mace | Convenience Store of the Year (Large) Gold Centra, Maugheraboy, Co. Sligo Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| Product of the Year Coca-Cola Sponsored by XL | National Convenience Store of the Year 2021 Spar / Texaco, Junction 14, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare Sponsored by Cuisine de France & The National Lottery |
| Wine of the Year Santa Rita Sponsored by Barry Group/Costcutter/Carry Out | Food & Drink Start-up of the Year Hot Chip Dublin Sponsored by Centra |
For more on each category winner click to our Winners 2021 page here >>>
Read more on ShelfLife.ie >>>