NFRN gains new COO

Go Local retailers from across the UK gathered in Manchester to celebrate the best in convenience retail at the wholesaler’s annual Retailer Awards.

The event highlights retailers that go above and beyond and their commitment to community involvement, digital innovation, and outstanding customer service. Award judges commended the exceptional quality and high number of entries.

The regional winners on the night included Sathiyarekha Sabaratnam of Go Local Extra in Crewe (North West winner), Aimee and Raf Kaldani of Go Local Extra in Redcar (North East), Andy Robinson of Go Local Extra Summer Lane in Barnsley (Yorkshire and Humber), Rizwan Rafiq of Go Local Extra Sandyford Stores in Stoke (Midlands and South), and Mike Fletcher, Go Local Extra in Oxton, Merseyside (North Wales and Wirral).

Andy Campbell of Go Local Extra in Cheadle won the Retail Execution of the Year, and Anil Velji of The Local in Walmersley, Bury, was crowned Digital Retailer of the Year.

Best Newcomer was announced as Jeevan Chatha of Go Local Extra in Southowram, Halifax. The Most Improved Store accolade was awarded to Ellis and Max Bashir of The Local Saltersgill in Middlesbrough.

Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, commented: “Now, as an annual highlight in the retail calendar, our awards get bigger every year and provide an excellent opportunity to bring together retailers from around the country and celebrate the industry. The standards for retailers and suppliers continue to increase, and we take pride in contributing to their success and helping them reach their objectives.

“We’ve had an outstanding past 12 months, which has seen the business go from strength to strength, surpassing last year’s record turnover and welcoming more retailers to Go Local than ever before. Together, we have much to be proud of, and the awards provide the perfect platform to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our team members, retailers, and suppliers.”

The awards also recognised innovative and retailer-focused suppliers. Heineken won Go Local NPD of the Year – licenced for Cruzcampo. The Go Local NPD of the Year – Non-Licenced went to PepsiCo Walkers for its Extra Flamin' Hot snack range.

Diageo was named Retail Store and Digital Activation of the Year – Licenced for the Guinness campaign, and Kellanova won Retail Store and Digital Activation of the Year—Non-Licenced for Cheez-It.

Own Label Supplier of the Year Licenced was awarded to Westons for the Darwins Fox wine range. Aston Manor won Own Label Supplier of the Year Non-Licenced for Zenergy Power, while George Marriott from Asahi UK was named Most Engaged Account Manager Licenced. The Most Engaged Account Manager Non-Licenced was awarded jointly to Brian Penkethman of AG Barr and Lucy Dickinson of Suntory.

Budweiser Brewing Group was awarded Go Local Supplier of the Year Licenced for the second successive year, while Nestle Confectionery was awarded Go Local Supplier of the Year Non-Licenced.

Depot Takeover of the Year – Licenced was awarded to Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company for Kronenbourg 1664 Biere, while Depot Takeover of the Year—Non-Licenced was presented to joint winners PepsiCo Walkers for Doritos and Britvic for Pepsi.

Parfetts operates the fast-growing Go Local symbol group and retail club with over 1,300 stores and one of the largest retail clubs with over 5,000 members. It operates across the North, Midlands, South East and Wales through a national logistics network, digital channels and eight wholesale depots.

Parfetts is an employee-owned business, and its employees play a significant role in the company's and its retailers' success.