Steve Keil, Director of Tactical Trading, at Booker Wholesale Foods Ltd, has been honoured with the Ram Solanki Lifetime Achievement Award at the 34th Asian Trader Awards.
Kevin Hollinrake, minister in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, was the chief guest at the event, held at the Park Plaza Westminster Hotel in London on Wednesday, celebrating the most innovative and successful retailers from the UK’s independent grocery sector.
The award, instituted in the memory of Ramniklal Solanki CBE, founder of Asian Media Group, recognises an individual who has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to the independent sector.
A much-admired figure in the industry, Steve is, put simply, one of the unique characters of the grocery sector whose compassion and dedication has marked him out as a leader and champion of convenience retailers.
He started out in the industry as a management trainee for one the large supermarkets after leaving school at the age of 18. He showed his retailing prowess early on, working his way up to manage one of the group’s flagship superstores before moving on.
He joined Booker in 1992, starting out as a depot manager. In the six years he managed the depot he quadrupled turnover and burnished his reputation for tactical trading and driving incremental sales.
“In over four decades in the industry, he has been a tireless advocate for convenience retailers, a true friend of the sector who always has time to help, advise and ultimately improve his customers’ bottom line,” Shailesh Solanki, Executive Editor of Asian Media Group, said.
“His charitable work is equally legendary, having helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years for a variety of good causes.”
In all, 13 retailers were honoured in different categories at the event, with the top award going to Glasgow retailer Shamly Sud, who was crowned the Asian Trader of the Year 2022.
Four new product launches from the last year, voted for by the retailers, were also feted, and Parfetts Cash & Carry at Shepcote, Sheffield won the Wholesale Depot of the Year award, recognising wholesalers and suppliers who play an incredible role in the supply chain.
Hollinrake, who was appointed minister last month, said he looks forward to developing a closer association with the sector.
“Small businesses are the very foundation of a dynamic, productive economy that creates employment, and brings huge benefits for the consumer. I’m determined to make it easier to start and grow business in this country by improving access to business finance, providing better advice and support and offering incentives to invest and grow.
“I am relishing working with independent retailers, promoting your needs across the government. I promise you, now we are on your side.”
Winners List:
Asian Trader Ram Solanki Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve Keil, Director of Tactical Trading at Booker Wholesale
Asian Trader Awards
Asian Trader of the Year: Shamly Sud, Racetrack Pitstop Premier, Strathclyde
Responsible Retailer of the Year Award supported by JTI: Mayaur (Dee) Sedani, One Stop, Stoke on Trent
Wholesale depot of the Year Award supported by JTI: Parfetts Cash & Carry, Stockport
Convenience Chain of the Year Award supported by Dr Beckmann: Jayaseelan Thambirajah, MSP Noble Group, Cambridgeshire
Vape Convenience Retailer of the Year supported by BAT: Girish Jeeva Premier Barmulloch Glasgow
Bakery Retailer of the Year Award supported by Warburtons: Michael Atherden & Paula Lafferty, Nisa, Bury
Next Gen Award: Rushi Patel, Londis Rushi Stores, Berkshire
Independent Retailer of the Year supported by Booker: Kris Naveretam, Londis Burbage, Wiltshire
Food to Go Retailer of the Year Award: Faz Latif One Stop Premier, Methil Fife
Spirit of the Community Award supported by Mondelez: Amrit Singh, Nisa Local, Walsall
Symbol Convenience Retailer of the Year Award supported by Bestway: Nithy & Sue Nityanandan, Costcutter, Epsom, Surrey
Off Licence of the Year Awards supported by Molson Coors (Cobra): Neha Phoughat, Shera’s Premier, Birmingham
Impulse Retailer of the Year Award: Peter Juty, Costcutter Culverstone, Kent
Local Hero Award supported by Kurkure: Jenny Donaghy, Spar, Llandrinio, Powys
Product and Manufacturer Awards
Convenience Snacks Brand of the Year supported by Sunmark Ltd: Kurkure, PepsiCo
Convenience Soft Drinks Bottled Water and Juices Brand of the Year supported by Sunmark Ltd: Relentless Zero Sugar, CCEP
Convenience Confectionery Brand of the Year supported by Sunmark Ltd: Cadbury Caramilk Buttons, Mondelez
Convenience Vape and Next Generation Product Brand of the Year: Nordic Spirit Spearmint, JTI
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