Parfetts celebrates best of independent at Go Local awards

Parfetts has celebrated and recognised the best of independent retail at its annual Retailer Awards, which took place at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester on Thursday (8).

Outstanding service, innovation and community involvement were all recognised as part of the event, and judges were impressed with the professionalism and commitment to serving local communities.

Now in its fourth year, the awards recognised a local retailer for each of its operating regions alongside a newcomer of the year, most improved store, retail execution of the year and digital innovation.

The regional winners on the night included Paul Edwards of Go Local Extra in Birkenhead (North West winner), Stuart and Mick Hoare of M&S Local in Stockton (North East winner), Luke Singh Mander of Go Local Extra in Selby (Yorkshire & the Humber), Kalbinder Singh Gill of Go Local Extra in Tipton, West Midlands (Midlands) and Mrs Rahat Shamsi of Go Local in Rhos on Sea, Colwyn Bay (North Wales).

For the second year in a row, Priyesh Vekaria from Go Local Extra in Manchester was recognised for digital innovation of the year.

Stockport Go Local Extra retainer Parfull Kumar received recognition for the best retail execution of the year, while Kajan Thayalan and Gopithas Gnanasekaran of Go Local Extra in Hulme, Manchester, were crowned this year’s newcomers of the year.  

The most improved store was awarded to Yasmi Bi, who runs her Go Local Extra store in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield.

Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, commented on the awards: “The awards recognise the hard work and dedication of our retailers. In addition, they demonstrate a deep commitment to supporting their local communities, in which they play a vital role.

“Once again, the judges could not fail to be impressed by the standard of the winners this year. Recognising their outstanding achievements with these richly deserved awards is a privilege.

“As we continue to accelerate our growth and widen our UK store network, we continue to invest in our people, technology and service to ensure our retailers can operate to the highest possible standards and ensure the ongoing success of their businesses.”

The awards also recognised innovative and retailer-focused suppliers. The Go Local supplier of the year non-licenced was Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, and the licenced supplier of the year was Budweiser Brewing Group.

NPD of the year was awarded to KP Snacks for Big Hoops, and Molson Coors was named licensed NPD of the year for Madri. Digital activation of the year for non-licenced and licensed were awarded to Lucozade Ribena and Heineken, respectively.  

Hell Energy and Aston Moor won the accolades of own label suppliers of the year for non-licenced and licensed. While Scott Ferrie from Coca-Cola was named the most engaged account manager non-licenced, and Kenny Magee from Treasury Wine Estates for licensed.

The event saw 450 retailers and suppliers celebrate the best of the independent convenience sector.

Parfetts operates the fast-growing Go Local and The Local fascias with over 1,000 stores and one of the largest retail clubs with over 5,000 members. It operates across the North, Midlands and Wales through a national logistics network, digital channels and seven wholesale depots. A new depot is in development in Birmingham to expand its presence in the Midlands and down the M40 corridor.