Convenience retail’s biggest night is approaching fast, with the Asian Trader Awards 2025 set to be held on Nov 5 in Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in central London. As preparations gather pace, Asian Trader today (Sept 30) is thrilled to unveil the finalists for this year, revealing an impressive line-up of independent retailers known for raising standards, supporting communities and driving the sector forward.
From neighbourhood stalwarts to fast-growing multi-site operators, this year’s record number of entries reflect the sector’s resilience amid rising costs, changing shopper habits and evolving regulation.
Each finalist in the list below demonstrates outstanding commitment to serving customers while adapting to new trading realities, whether through sharper value, innovative services or stronger links with local communities.
Judges particularly applauded the exceptional standard of entries this year, as they came across these remarkable retailers going above and beyond to future-proof their businesses as well as to serve their communities.
From investing in technology and food-to-go sections to completely redefining boundaries of retail, the Asian Trader Awards 2025 finalists list perfectly embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive British convenience sector.
Asian Trader Awards 2025 finalists
Responsible Retailer of the Year, (supported by Imperial Brands)
- Gee Beghal, Clarke’s Stores, Woverhampton
- Paul Cheema, Malcom’s Store, Costcutter, Coventry
Convenience Chain of the Year
- Kopinath Kalanathan, Costcutter, Kirk Sandall
- Luxman Selvarajah, Krisco Group, SHELL BUDGENS, Oxfordshire
- Sajeev Gowrinathan, Budgens Tarvin (Shinon Group), Cheshire
Best smokeless alternatives Retailer of the year (Supported by VELO)
- Guna Sud Full Premier RaceTrack, Wishaw, Scotland
- Jeyaseelan Thambirajah, Noble Retail (Premier Queen Street),Sheffiled
- Michael Atherden and Paula Lafferty, Premier Market Street
Bakery Retailer of the Year (Supported by Warburtons)
- Noel Kavanagh, Kavanagh Ltd, Budgens Belsize Park, London
- Paul Gardner Nash & Gardners Budgens, East Finchley, London
- Yogesh Patel, Londis Merton Park Parade
Next Gen Award
- Amit Ramji Patel, Duchy Stores Ltd,Go Local Extra, Manchester
- Karan Patel KP's Mini Market, Premier, Leeds
- Kirtan and Kirti Patel Sayona Ltd, Londis, Finsbury Park, London
World Food Retailer Award (Supported by Tropical Sun)
- Krishnan Sedani, Quality Foods, Hayes, Middlesex
- Sajeev Bada, Asian Afro Grocery Store, Ipswich
- Shakeel Ahmed, Makkah Food Store, Nottingham
Independent Retailer of the Year (Supported by Booker)
- Amy Sohal, Premier Kens Convenience Store
- Girish Jeeva,Girish's Premier, Barmulloch, Glasgow
- Sanjay Chandarana, Chandarana’s Budgen, Watton stores LTD, Hertford
Food to Go Retailer of the Year (Supported by KP Snacks)
- Arul Palaniappan, Premier New Elgin Service Station, Scotland
- Kanagaratnam Rajaseelan, Budgens Whitfield Service Station, Dover
- Kopinath Kalanthan, Freshgos Londis Armthorpe, Doncaster
Spirit of the Community Award (Supported by Mondelez International)
- Imran Ali, Bourtreehill Supermarket Day-Today, Irvine, Ayrshire
- Iwan Jones, Siop Glyndwr Costcutter, Wales
Symbol Retailer of the Year (Supported by Bestway)
- Kalpesh Pau, Kal's Budgens & Post Office, Sheffield
- Kersheaup Vagadia, Costcutter/Bargain Booze (Vagadia & Sons Ltd), Bolton
- Nish Patel, Costcutter Canterbury, Kent
Off Licence of the Year
- Gurmeet and Gagandeep Basainty, One Stop - Tramway Stores, Aberdare
- Kaual Patel, Torridon Conveniece Store Nisa Local, Lewisham, Greater London
- Shivakumar Kandaswamy, Dunbar Premier
Impulse Retailer of the Year
- Andy Campbell, Go Local Extra, Hursthead Convenience, Cheadle
- Mandip Dale Singh One Stop - Tycroes Supermarket, Ammanford, Wales
- Michael Atherden and Paula Lafferty, Premier Bury Road, Bolton
Local Hero Award
- Dhanji Halai, Halai General Store (Best One), Rotherhithe Street, London
- Sheraz Awan, –Sheraz’s Westerhope Convenience Store, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Businesswoman of the Year (Supported by Philip Morris Ltd)
- Asiyah Javed, A&J Alloa Spar, Stenhousemuir, Falkirk
- Julie Kaur, Premier Jules Convenience Store, Telford, Shropshire
- Nathalie Fullerton, One Stop Dumbarton Road, Glasgow
Asian Trader of the Year
- Jeyaseelan Thambirajah, Noble Retail (Premier Queen Street), Sheffield
- Kersheaup Vagadia, Costcutter/Bargain Booze (Vagadia & Sons Ltd), Bolton
- Yogesh Patel, Londis Merton Park Parade, Wimbledon