Leading IGA stores have been recognised at a ‘new look’ IGA Awards of Excellence, beamed across the nation via satellite for the first time ever on 27 November 2020. Seventeen outstanding stores were recognized after winning the following awards:
- IGA Delicatessen Department of the Year: IGA Mt Coolum
- SUPA IGA Delicatessen Department of the Year: SUPA IGA Mt Cotton
- IGA Meat Department of the Year: IGA Cooktown
- SUPA IGA Meat Department of the Year: SUPA IGA Mt Cotton
- IGA Bakery Department of the Year: IGA Mt Coolum
- SUPA IGA Bakery Department of the Year: Nuriootpa Foodland IGA
- IGA Fresh Produce Department of the Year: IGA Allambie Heights
- SUPA IGA Fresh Produce Department of the Year: SUPA IGA Mt Cotton
- IGA Grocery & GM Department of the Year: IGA Baldivis
- SUPA IGA Grocery & GM Department of the Year: Ritchies SUPA IGA Rowville
- IGA Dairy/Freezer Department of the Year: Romeo’s Food Hall IGA Plus Liquor Mortdale
- SUPA IGA Dairy/Freezer Department of the Year: SUPA IGA North Road
- IGA Customer Service & Experience Award: SUPA IGA Tully
- IGA Xpress Small Format Innovation Award: IGA Xpress Rottnest
- IGA Xpress Fresh Award: Ettaro IGA Xpress
- Retail Transformation & Innovation Award: Romeo’s Food Hall IGA Plus Liquor Mortdale
- 2020 Community Award: IGA Tweed Valley & IGA Murwillumbah and the Klose Group
- Team Member/Rising Star Award: Johnathan Vandervoet, IGA Xpress Swanbourne Market
- IGA Xpress Store of the Year: IGA Xpress Alexandra Hills
- IGA Store of the Year: IGA Baldivis
- SUPA IGA of the Year: SUPA IGA Mt Cotton
- National retailer of the Year: SUPA IGA Mt Cotton
The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of independent retailers and their teams across the country who play a vital role in their local communities and are judged on a range of criteria including customer service, community pride, department excellence, brand values, merchandising and the store’s overall performance.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and border closures, the award ceremonies followed a very different format than the traditional IGA National Awards of Excellence hosted on the Gold Coast every year. Events were instead held across the country, with Master MC Shane Jacobson hosting guests at the Hyatt Regency Sydney, with live crosses to Tim Campbell at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne, Giaan Rooney at the Hilton in Brisbane, and Jo Beth Taylor at the Crown in Perth.
Scott Marshall, Metcash Food CEO 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 once again reflect the strength of the IGA network and the efforts that they go to support their local communities as only they know how.
“In a year that has been like no other, it is so important to further recognise the efforts of all IGA retailers who have gone over and above, day in and day out, to ensure that their local communities were looked after. Therefore, rather than inducting just one retailer into the IGA Hall of Fame, we decided to induct the entire independent network to recognize their outstanding efforts on the front line, overcoming the many challenges of 2020. Congratulations to all our winners.”
The major award winners are listed below:
National Retailer of the Year and SUPA IGA Store of the Year: SUPA IGA Mt Cotton, Queensland
SUPA IGA Mt Cotton is a destination to experience. Often referred to as a ‘Foodies’ paradise, the team at SUPA IGA Mt Cotton genuinely care about creating an exceptional and unforgettable shopping experience every time a customer visits the store. With an expansive range of gourmet, cheese, delicatessen and meat products complemented with fresh produce, bakery, sushi and its own in-store nutritionist to assist with healthy lifestyle choices, this store truly is a standout.
Speaking of the win, store owner Tyrone Jones said: “For over 25 years we have been passionate about providing fresh, high quality, good value products and produce for our local customers. Every day we all go over and above to deliver a first-class shopping experience that is like no other, with a huge emphasis on always offering service with a smile.
We are proud to be able to give back to our local community through our charity, Heart of the Community Foundation wherever possible. This award acknowledges the hard work, commitment and passion of the entire team who work hard every day to make this store what it is, and I couldn’t be prouder!”
IGA Store of the Year: IGA Baldivis, Western Australia
The exceptional team at IGA Baldivis pride themselves on setting high standards throughout the store, making it a priority to keep up with all the latest supermarket trends. With an in-store butcher on hand, a full-service delicatessen and an in-store bakery, the store offers a huge range which is tailored to meet the needs of their local customers. Devoted to supporting their local community, IGA Baldivis supports local sporting clubs, schools and community initiatives wherever possible.
Damien Rose, Manager at IGA Baldivis said: “We are delighted to have had the honour of being awarded IGA Store of the Year! We strongly believe in locals supporting locals and our fantastic staff, combined with our loyal customers and local suppliers help make our store what it is.”
IGA Xpress Store of the Year: IGA Xpress Alexandra Hills, Queensland
Owned by Dan and Jacki Rigney, IGA Xpress Alexandra Hills is not only a place where customers purchase their daily groceries but has also become a meeting place for locals to gather. Sitting at the heart of this tight knit community, their bakery table doubles as a bench for locals waiting for their morning coffee. This is a small store with a big heart and the team go above and beyond to demonstrate that good old-fashioned personal service goes a long way.
Dan Rigney said: “It would be impossible for Jacki and I to run a successful business, win awards like this and do what we do at The Hills IGA Xpress without the hard work, loyalty and dedication of our amazing team. We can’t thank them enough. It was a privilege to be nominated for this award and very special to take it home, particularly knowing firsthand the impressive stores we were up against. We love what we do, and the entire team is committed to supporting our local community however we can. We look forward to the interactions we have with the locals every day and truly believe that every customer should leave our store feeling better for the experience and with a smile on their face.”
