Natalie Lightfoot of Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston, Glasgow, has been crowned winner of the 2025 Raj Aggarwal Trophy, which celebrates exceptional community retailing.
Natalie, who also picked up the Community Retailer accolade at the SLR Awards back in June, was given the Raj Aggarwal Trophy at a parliamentary reception following the Association of Convenience Stores’ Heart of the Community Conference in Westminster. Now in its fifth year, the Raj Aggarwal Trophy was created to honour the memory of exemplary independent community retailer Raj Aggarwal.
Natalie, who runs her shop with husband Martin, is devoted to her community and is a co-founder of peer-to-peer mental health support group, Retail Family – Online Safe Space.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Natalie is an incredible example of what it means to be an outstanding community retailer and this is demonstrated through her commitment to her customers and to making a positive difference in the area where she trades.”
He was also full of praise for award finalists, Nathalie Fullerton of One Stop Dumbarton Road and Chloe Taylor-Green of Spar Western Downs in Stafford, who have both shown “unwavering commitment to their local communities.”
When asked about the importance of community retailing, Natalie said: “Becoming a community focused store is not only a moral choice but it is a commercial strategy. We all can sell the same stock but what sets us apart is the feelings we create in our community to be that of a sense of togetherness and it builds strength that pays back in loyalty. The varying community initiatives and events we build helps reinforce people’s choice to shop with us. They see and appreciate the effort.”
