Retail News|October 2018|www.retailnews.ie|27
Gala Annual Conference Simply the B.E.S.T from Gala Also taking place at the Gala Group’s annual conference was the annual Gala B.E.S.T store awards ceremony, which saw a host of Gala convenience stores from throughout Ireland receiving awards for excellence in retail. A record number of B.E.S.T. awards were presented, with 53 stores from across the country being recognised for excellence in retailing and 11 Category Awards presented, including the Marketing Initiative and Supplier of the Year awards, among others. The B.E.S.T Award is awarded following a comprehensive and independent assessment process under the Gala Business Excellence Standards Tool programme and is an accolade all Gala stores aspire to win. “We offer our congratulations to the winning stores,” enthused Gary Desmond. “These stores provide a fantastic service to their customers, day in, day out, and are amongst the B.E.S.T retailers in the Gala Group. “It is fitting that during the Gala Group’s 20th year, as we celebrate the continued success and innovation of the group, that a record number of stores have secured this accolade. We wish all our award winners another successful year and look forward to the stores retaining their excellent standards throughout the year.’’
Eric Nolan, Senior National Account Manager, Aryzta Food Solutions, is pictured with John McDermott of McDermott’s Gala, recipient of the Fresh Food Award, along with Audrey Kelly, Fresh, Frozen Trading & Logistics Manager at Gala Retail, and host of the Gala B.E.S.T Awards, Aoibhín Garrihy.
Category Winners: • • • • • • • • •
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Customer Service Award: Flynn’s Gala, Glenties Alcohol Award : Hanlon’s Gala, Longford Fresh Food Award : McDermott’s Gala, Patrickswell Bakers Corner Award : Murphy’s Gala, Kanturk Marketing Initiative Award : McGloin’s Gala, Belmullet Community Initiative Award : Larkin’s Gala, Ballina In Store Champion Award : Louise Bolton, Maunsell’s Gala, Tullamore Manager of the Year Award : James Dobbs, Cullen’s Gala, Adamstown Fresh Food Manager of the Year Award : Gwen Culbert, Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea Brand Champion Award : Bracken’s Gala, Portlaoise Chilled Retailer Award : Gala Station Road, Ballina Supplier of the Year 2018 : JTI Ireland Special Merit Award : Sean Merrins, Merrin’s Gala, Naas.
Caroline O’Connor, Customer & Operations Support Manager at Gala Retail, and Mark Ahern, Sales Director, Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ireland, present Louise Bolton of Maunsell’s Gala with the In-Store Champion Award at the annual Gala Group Conference, with MC Aoibhín Garrihy.
David Dowling, Head of Trading, JTI is pictured with James Dobbs from Cullen’s Gala in Adamstown, who received the Manager of the Year Award, along with Retail Operations Manager at Gala Retail, Billy Massey, and host of the Gala B.E.S.T Awards, Aoibhín Garrihy.