The Above and Beyond Awards 2026 have unearthed another treasure trove of local retailing jewels.
by Gaelle Walker
Now in their third year, SLR’s Above and Beyond Awards were designed to celebrate the unsung heroes of our industry – those good humans who go out of their way to make things better for the people and places around them.
We always suspected we would unearth some gems, but what keeps on surfacing year after year are treasures beyond measure – and this year was certainly no exception.
Our finalists and winners don’t just go above and beyond every now and again – they live it every single day.
And they don’t do it for the money, to meet a target, tick a box, or to get ‘likes’ – they do it because that’s just who they are.
Most of them were shocked to learn that they’d been nominated – and all of them shrugged off our praise of their actions – actions which so many of them said “just came naturally.”
Only those actions don’t come naturally to everyone – and that’s why these individuals, this industry, and these awards are so unique.
From running into burning buildings to rescue elderly residents, to buying sleeping bags for the homeless, visiting elderly shoppers in care homes, playing Santa for children who would otherwise go without to simply “being there” for people – every single one of this year’s finalists and winners demonstrates what it truly means to go above and beyond – and not just sporadically, every single day.
Their stories left us awed and inspired – and, in many cases, a little tearful too.
This year’s glittering collection of finalists and winners was honoured at a special lunch at Glasgow’s Corinthian Club on 18 March – and now it’s your chance to share in their celebration.
Read on to find out more about them all – but be sure to grab your shades – because they are absolutely blinding.
Independent Store Colleague
Winner
Kerri Grier, Supervisor, Bourtreehill Supermarket
Kerri didn’t have a “classic” route into retail, having started out as a delivery driver during the Covid-19 pandemic. At its height she carried out more than 150 lifeline deliveries a day – delivering essential goods but also treasured connection to isolated and vulnerable local people. After almost two years behind the wheel, store manager Imran brought her in-store where he knew she would shine – but she’s done more than that – she’s blazed a trail.
Imran says there’s no job she can’t do. She runs the store’s social media, she cashes up at night, she’s a merchandising dream, she cleans, she orders – and she’s also a customer service queen – expert at connecting with people, especially the old and young.
She’ll also stop at nothing to help those in need. From healthy eating drives to free ‘Back to School’ packs for local kids, she’s always on the hunt for meaningful ways to support others.
Gertu Kirtsing, Deli/Kitchen Supervisor, David’s Kitchen
Gertu is a key ingredient in the David’s Kitchen business – helping with everything from staff training to social media and new store set-ups.
Her stellar impact is also keenly felt on the catering side of the business where Gertu is queen of the central kitchen – helping to prepare and cook its vast range of homemade ready meals.
She also reigns supreme in the outside catering arm of the business – making up mouth-watering platters for anything between 20 to 750 people multiple times a week – often working 14-hour shifts in the process – and smiling through every one.
Shivam Madaan, Manager, Day Today Haddington
At just 29, Shivam’s natural affinity for retail and people has seen him soar from sales assistant to manager in only three years – despite having no prior retail experience. Proactive and interested, he’s taken it upon himself to learn everything he can about store operations, local trends and wine – of which he now has a corking knowledge.
He’s also a motivating manager and mathematical whizz whose eagle-eye on costs helps the business to save precious pounds.
In addition to all of the above, he also happily gives up his spare time to support those in need – and is regularly found helping out in the local community kitchen.
Sean Maney, Manager, Greens of Shettleston
Sean is a managerial maestro whose skills with people, products and procedures see him regularly parachuted in to help support other stores.
A natural-born knack with people helps him to build strong motivated teams and even stronger stores.
His local support is also legendary – barely any month goes by without some sort of big-ticket donation or community initiative.
From local school kids to pensioners, the hard-up and the homeless, everyone benefits from Sean’s kind and compassionate nature.
Company Owned Store Colleague
Diane Garry, Supervisor, SPAR Coatbridge
Diane Garry started working at SPAR Coatbridge in her teens and 17 years later she’s still there; the store, her team and her customers having become a constant and treasured fixture in her life.
One of her favourite parts of the role is the interactions she has with customers. Many of these are elderly and will visit every day – some multiple times a day.
She’s also a real stickler for high standards – a job is never done until she’s completely satisfied with it. Planograms hold a special place in her heart!
And when responsibility calls, Diane answers – a fact she proved all too well last summer, when she stepped up to cover the manager in her absence – running the store like clockwork.
Liam Hailes, Manager, SPAR Balintore
Much like the store he manages, Liam Hailes is a treasured part of local life in the small coastal village of Balintore, where he was born and raised.
Having worked in the store for more than 13 years, no one understands what local shoppers and the wider community need better than Liam.
In addition to his busy day job managing what is a highly successful store, he’s a true community lynchpin – helping to organise a packed calendar of meaningful community events throughout the year which last year culminated in a magical Christmas celebration featuring real live reindeer!
Sadly, Liam wasn’t able to attend the event, so his certificate was collected by a colleague.
Winner
Angela Kelly, Sales Assistant, SPAR Garthamlock
Described as the heart and soul of SPAR’s Garthamlock store by colleagues and customers alike, Angie is a ray of sunshine who goes out of her way to brighten people’s days.
Her warmth, enthusiasm and genuine interest in people create a powerful sense of community within the store – amazing considering she doesn’t even live in the area!
And that’s not her only star quality: Angie’s also an exceptionally hard-worker, whose knowledge of in-store processes and local trends was invaluable to manager Gerry Haughey when he first joined the store.
She’s also a social media whizz, whose personality-packed posts have helped to drive new levels of engagement for the store – as well as footfall and sales – especially when it comes to food to go!
Stacey McMahon, Manager, SPAR Peterculter
Stacey has been the life and soul of SPAR Peterculter for more than 25 years now – regularly going above and beyond to support her team and her customers in any way she can.
From care-laden home deliveries to elderly shoppers in her own time, to ‘Natter and Chatter’ events in the community centre, her nurturing nature knows no bounds – even the snow can’t stop her!
When the village was hit by deep snow this winter, Stacey grabbed a shovel and cleared a path to the store – carrying out a huge number of home deliveries to elderly and vulnerable shoppers in her own time too.
Her team is also on the receiving end of her supportive nature – her door is always open and her ear ready to listen to both personal problems or workplace goals.
Team of the Year
SPAR Denny
This loyal, long-serving team pulled together to pull off great success when their store transitioned from Scotfresh to SPAR last year.
Their positive attitude, good humour and true team spirit shone throughout – ensuring a smooth, seamless and highly successful conversion.
Thanks to their inspiring approach, sales have grown by an incredible 25% year on year, with food-to-go sales having risen by a meaty 45%!
SPAR Eastriggs
Come rain or shine, the team at SPAR Eastriggs are always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to spread a little joy in their local community – often in their own time and from their own pockets too.
Last Christmas the team helped to organise a cinema trip for 40 local children – all of whom received a tasty treat too.
Elderly members of the community also benefit from the team’s caring ways, with team members having braved the elements to deliver heartfelt hampers to some of its most elderly residents at the start of the new year too.
SPAR Garthamlock
This highly motivated and engaged team has helped to transform SPAR Garthamlock into one of the most successful stores in SPAR Scotland’s estate – winning the Company-Owned Store accolade at the SPAR Scotland Awards twice in just five years.
This is a team that pulls together, where everyone has a voice, a goal and countless reasons to feel proud.
Team spirit is so strong that customers can almost taste it in the air – and especially in the food-to-go zone where their passion for perfection has helped sales to rise by more than £4,000 a week.
Winner
SPAR Kincaidston
When it comes to heartfelt acts of team spirit, SPAR Kincaidston really is the top of the tree – with all team members thinking outside of the box and willingly giving up their own time to support those in need.
From in-store birthday parties for elderly shoppers to donating Christmas decorations and spreading festive cheer – this is a team that stops at nothing to make people smile – often bringing the whole community in on their inspirational initiatives too.
Last Christmas the team launched their biggest Angel Tree initiative to date – resulting in 50 fabulous presents for local disadvantaged children to unwrap on Christmas Day – with many gifts donated by team members themselves.
Up and Coming Star
Jodi Ewing, Supervisor, SPAR Saltcoats
‘Little Jodi’ has made a big impact at SPAR Saltcoats since she joined at just 18. The last three years have seen her confidence bloom, taking on greater responsibility for store operations with enthusiasm and ease.
She’s also become a sought-after face on the shop floor where she excels at making shoppers feel welcome – never forgetting a birthday or heartfelt compliment.
And as the pile of cards personally addressed to Jodi at the store this Christmas shows – she’s clearly got a special place in her customers’ hearts too.
Winner
Harshita Jand, Supervisor, Girish’s Costcutter, Barmulloch
Harshita wakes up every day “excited to come to work” and it shows – her warm smile and positive attitude lighting up the shop floor and delighting customers – especially parents and their kids.
She’s also an operational bright spark with a natural instinct for retail that helps to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the store – acting as the physical eyes and ears for manager Snehal who now runs it remotely from India!
Social media is another string to Harshita’s bow – with engagement and followers both having soared under her care.
Karis Waldron, Supervisor, SPAR Greenock
Karis joined SPAR Greenock as a general sales assistant in 2022 and was promoted to supervisor just one year later.
Her thirst for learning and desire to progress has seen her go from strength to strength since then – and she’s now one of the store’s most competent employees, never leaving a job until she’s 100% satisfied.
Her knowledge of store processes and passion for perfection were clear for all to see last year when she led not one but two CEO visits with confidence and success.
Long Service Award
Winner
Gerry Haughey, Manager, SPAR Garthamlock
Managerial master Gerry Haughey has worked for SPAR for 30 years – having started out as a sales assistant in his local store when he was just 16.
He’s sailed up the ranks since then – his inspiring, hands-on personable management style helping to create strong teams and even stronger stores.
Right now, he’s busy heading up one of the company’s best-performing stores which, under his care, has also claimed SPAR Scotland’s Company Owned Store of the Year Award not once but twice – in just five years!
Margo Macauley, Manager, Costcutter Muirhouse
Kind-hearted Margo lives and breathes store life and has been doing so for a quarter of a century – since she joined as a sales assistant in 2001.
Her “underlying instinct to help others” has seen the store become the beating heart of local life, with Margo regularly going above and beyond to support her loyal local shoppers – caring for many of them in much the same way as a family member would.
She’s also a valuable source of support for her team – having taken many of them under her wing over the years, helping to develop their careers, and comforting them through tough times – even when facing hard ones of her own.
Stacey McMahon, Manager, SPAR Peterculter
Stacey has been working her magic at SPAR Peterculter for more than 25 years – becoming a treasured part of local life in that time.
She goes out of her way to look after others, especially the elderly, regularly giving up her own time to see that their needs are met.
She knows what they need, she knows what makes them happy – and crucially, she knows when they’re not well or something’s not right – and acts on it – as she has done several times before.
Her kind and fair nature also make her a marvellous manager – even to her children who all worked in the store growing up.
Astonishing Act
Winner
Sean Maney, Manager, Greens of Shettleston
Sean performed a jaw-dropping act of selfless bravery when he literally ran into a burning building opposite his store and helped to evacuate elderly residents, a number of whom were trapped on the first floor.
He even helped the firemen carry their hose upstairs!
With the elderly evacuated, Sean then designated his store a ‘safe space’ for local people affected by the blaze – offering free refreshments and comfort to those in need – all without a second thought.
Winner
Edwin Pirie, Driver/Storeman, Premier Whitehills
Edwin was a true snow angel during the terrible winter storms that lashed Aberdeenshire at the start of the year.
While other delivery companies crumbled, Edwin stood strong – braving cut-off roads and knee-deep snowdrifts to deliver essential groceries to shoppers in need.
On many occasions the challenging conditions saw Edwin dig his way to people’s doors, determined that those in need didn’t go without – delivering not just bags of food but also bundles of comfort in the process.
