Retailers, store managers, suppliers, colleagues and representatives gathered at Spar Scotland’s annual tradeshow last Thursday (24 September) where the theme was ‘Collaborate’.
Held at the MacDonald Hotel & Resort in Aviemore, the business presentations provided an honest assessment of the ongoing headwinds facing the convenience sector, including changing consumer behaviour, cost pressures, inflationary challenges and an increasingly competitive retail environment.
There was a strong focus on opportunities to increase footfall and sales through food to go and customer engagement campaigns, such as Spin into Spring and Dream Big.
By sharing retailing challenges and successes, the business sessions reinforced the value of collaboration across the Spar Scotland network, bringing retailers, suppliers and the wider business together to identify what works, learn from one another and build for future growth.
Another highlight was the welcome return of motivational speaker Alf Dunbar, who took to the stage in the afternoon to deliver an engaging presentation to Spar Scotland’s store managers and retailers.
The theme of collaboration continued with the tradeshow, where almost 200 suppliers met with retailers to discuss new products and innovations and explore commercial opportunities across a wide range of categories.
Sonya Harper, Interim CEO, Spar Scotland, said: “The whole day was about bringing people together, sharing ideas and looking at how we can work collectively to achieve more.”
Later in the day, the annual awards celebrated the successes of company stores, CJ Lang & Son colleagues, independent retailers and supplier partners alike, recognising the people and businesses that make an important contribution to Spar Scotland.
The full list of Spar Scotland Awards winners:
Vape Store of the Year – sponsored by Vape Supplier Ltd
· MacBean, Jamestown
· Spar Georgetown
Spar Brand Store of the Year – sponsored by Spar UK
· Elliot Salen, Mull
· Spar Ladybank
Lunch Meal Deal Store of the Year – sponsored by Samworth Brothers
· Penny Petroleum, Great Glen
· Spar Denny
Barista Bar Store of the Year – sponsored by Barista Bar
· David’s Kitchen, Bo’ness
· Spar Arisaig
Food to Go Store of the Year – sponsored by Kepak
· David’s Kitchen, Glenrothes
· Spar Ladybank
Independent Community Store of the Year – sponsored by CCEP
· Hutchison, Scone
Company Owned Community Store of the Year – sponsored by Graham’s the Family Dairy
· Spar Jedburgh
Independent Store of the Year – sponsored by AG Barr
· McCallum, Coylton
Company Owned Store of the Year – sponsored by Hovis
· Spar Denny
Supplier of the Year categories – sponsored by SPAR Scotland
· Tobacco & Vaping – Phillip Morris
· Impulse – KP Snacks
· Licensed – C&C Group plc
· Grocery – Premier
· Fresh – Graham’s the Family Dairy
· Frozen – Nomad Foods
· Bakery & Cakes – Hovis
· Food to Go – Barista Bar
· Scottish Supplier of the Year – International Beverage
Special Thanks Award presented to Edward Dunn, AG Barr
Future Stars Award – sponsored by Scottish FA
· Jodie Ewing, CJ Lang & Son Ltd
· Roland Lauhle, CJ Lang & Son Ltd
· KD-Leigh Millar, CJ Lang & Son Ltd
