Exceptional Independent Supermarkets Recognised at IGA Awards of Excellence

Exceptional Independent Supermarkets Recognised at IGA Awards of Excellence

Leading IGA stores across Australia are celebrating after winning awards at the prestigious annual IGA Awards of Excellence held on the Gold Coast, 15 July 2019. Fourteen outstanding stores have been recognised after winning the following awards:
IGA Delicatessen Department of the Year: Romeo’s Food Hall IGA MLC Martin Place
SUPA IGA Delicatessen Department of the Year: Boccaccio SUPA IGA Balwyn
IGA Meat Department of the Year: IGA Baldivis
SUPA IGA Meat Department of the Year: Romeo’s Food Hall IGA Summer Hill
IGA Bakery Department of the Year: Preston Street IGA
SUPA IGA Bakery Department of the Year: Ritchies SUPA IGA Dromana
IGA Fresh Produce Department of the Year: Preston Street IGA
SUPA IGA Fresh Produce Department of the Year: Fresh St. Market IGA
IGA Grocery & GM Department of the Year: IGA Baldivis
SUPA IGA Grocery & GM Department of the Year: Fresh St. Market IGA
IGA Dairy/Freezer Department of the Year: IGA Baldivis
SUPA IGA Dairy/Freezer Department of the Year: Ashcroft’s SUPA IGA Erskine Park
IGA Customer Service & Experience Award: IGA Exmouth
IGA Xpress Small Format Innovation Award: Swanbourne Market IGA Xpress
Retail Transformation & Innovation Award: Brighton Foodland IGA
2019 Community Award: Penola IGA Fresh
Team Member/Rising Star Award: Kellie Johnstone, Mawhood’s IGA Grenfell Plus Liquor
IGA Xpress Store of the Year: Lovey’s IGA Xpress Hawks Nest
IGA Store of the Year: Preston Street IGA
SUPA IGA of the Year: Fresh St. Market IGA
IGA Hall of Fame – Leo and Elaine Ryan and Ron Corrigan and Rod Allen
National retailer of the Year: Fresh St. Market IGA
The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of independent retailers across the country. Not only the IGA stores that are an integral part of their local communities, but also the teams who work in the stores to put the heart and soul back into shopping and set the benchmark for other IGA supermarkets across the retail network.
The national awards were judged on a range of criteria including customer service, community pride, department excellence, brand values, sales, profits, merchandising and the store’s overall performance.

IGA Xpress Store of the Year: Loveys IGA Xpress Hawks Nest

Owned by two locals, Peter Trappel and James Lovegrove, this little store is a one-stop-shop that holds its own with larger stores. It has been well planned and executed with every item accounted for. It has a full delicatessen offering and is a market leader in its class with a large range of slice-on-demand meats, specialty cheeses and fresh options. The highest quality fresh produce is provided by the Co-op direct from the markets of Sydney and Newcastle.
Peter said: “James and I are really committed to raising the bar and are constantly striving to innovate and keep up to date in a fast-changing environment. We have a genuine interest in the communities that we live and work in and just like to offer the best possible shopping experience for our customers that we can possibly deliver. It was a privilege to be nominated for the award and very special to take it home especially when you are competing against such high-class retailers. We consider ourselves lucky to be selected from such a pool of innovative retailers across the country. We are really proud to be involved in this industry and receive this award, but of course this is really a true team effort. We have four stores and very much rely on our amazing staff to deliver a great shopping experience and we are really thankful for all the hard work and effort they put in to achieve this.”

IGA Store of the Year: Preston Street IGA

IGA Preston Street is a market leader in providing the highest quality fresh produce, an exceptional meal solution offer prepared by experienced chefs, along with a bakery and meat offer that have set the benchmark within the industry. IGA Preston Street is a great example of the level of excellence that can be achieved by a small size store. The entire team are strong supporters of the local community, donating to numerous charities and supporting many schools and sporting organisations. All this together with old school customer service makes IGA Preston Street the complete package.
“Renee Steenkamp (Manager and owners’ daughter) said: “It is amazing when you come to these national awards. You meet so many people and so many stores who are doing such an amazing job, so it is a real honour to be amongst those people and to take home awards is even more special. We couldn’t do what we do without our team, in fact some of our managers have been with us for 20 to 30 years which is rare in the retail industry. Our fantastic staff combined with our loyal customers and local suppliers really help to make our store what it is today. We couldn’t be prouder. Mum and Dad have been in the industry for over 30 years, and growing up in the store, it’s amazing to see where they have come from and how independents have changed over the years. If we as independents stick together with the support of Metcash, we can continue to be a formidable force in the grocery industry.

National Retailer of the Year: Fresh St. Market IGA

Fresh St. Market IGA in Atherton is a complete shopping destination, offering a huge range of grocery and fresh products including health foods, bulk foods and products for allergy sufferers all under the one roof. In keeping with IGA being the heart of the community, they source as many products locally as possible, employ locals instead of adding extra self-checkouts and recently reduced the stores carbon footprint by switching to recyclable packaging and energy efficient refrigeration. The team’s pride in the store is demonstrated by their friendliness, helpfulness and maintenance in keeping the store fresh, clean and inviting. It truly is a great place to work and shop!
Speaking of the win, store owner Michael Shakes said: “Every day we all strive to offer best in class standards for our customers, selling high quality, good value products supported by excellent customer service in our store. We are passionate about supporting local producers, farmers and smaller companies and whether you want to grind your own coffee, make your own nut butter, buy in bulk or just do your everyday grocery shop, we will look after you!  This award acknowledges the hard work, commitment and passion of the entire team who collectively make this store what it is and I couldn’t be prouder!”
These awards were presented to the store teams by Metcash CEO Supermarkets & Convenience Scott Marshall and Chairman of the IGA National Retailer Council, Joseph Romeo.
Scott Marshall said the IGA Awards of Excellence acknowledge the hard work, commitment and excellence IGA stores across the country have demonstrated throughout the year.
“This year’s winners reflect the strengths of the IGA network. Day in and day out IGA stores deliver phenomenal experiences to the shoppers who come through their doors but also, go over and above for the benefit of their local community. These innovative stores have not only delivered amazing shopping experiences and high-quality produce to customers but also, are a true testament to the vibrancy of the independent retail grocery industry.” Congratulations to all of the winners” he concluded.