Downpatrick SuperValu Scoops Top Award In London

Downpatrick SuperValu secures win at Retail Industry Awards in London

SuperValu Downpatrick has been honoured among the best in UK retail stores.

SuperValu Downpatrick was honoured last week at the UK-wide 2024 Retail Industry Awards taking home the Store Team of the Year title.

Widely regarded as ‘The Oscars’ of the grocery sector, the Retail Industry Awards reward excellence and outstanding achievement across a broad range of categories, recognising independent retailers alongside the large supermarket groups.

The store recently underwent a £750,000 refurbishment and the team impressed judges with their collective positive attitude following the devastating flood in October 2023, and how they embraced the challenges without hesitation.

Receiving the award for Store Team of the Year on behalf of SuperValu Downpatrick are Paddy Murney, Retail Sales Director and Caroline Rowan, Head of Retail Operations at Musgrave NI. They are joined by Paul Robinson, Wholesale and Convenience Controller from category sponsors Perfetti Van Melle (left) and host, comedian and author Shappi Khorsandi (right).

The judges were particularly impressed that the team showed a strong willingness to deliver for the entire community of Downpatrick, whether that be working overtime, popping in on their day off to write orders, dropping groceries home for elderly and vulnerable customers, or supporting the local community in need.

The Judges commented: “The whole team – from deli, post office, checkouts and shop floor – pride themselves in offering both local and transient customers the best shopping experience with great customer service.”

Commenting on the award, Elaine Sharvin, store manager at SuperValu Downpatrick said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised as the Store Team of the Year. We all really pulled together to ensure our local community was looked after with the best customer service and range of products, after the flood.

“We continue to serve the community with the best in modern convenience retailing and I would like to thank the entire team for their unwavering commitment and hard work.”

Head of Retail Operations at Musgrave NI, Caroline Rowan said: “This is a fantastic accolade for the SuperValu Downpatrick team.

“They have really demonstrated commitment to their local community and worked incredibly hard to ensure they could continue to provide the best customer service, even when morale in the town was low.

“Congratulations to the team.”

Musgrave further celebrated at the awards when Musgrave Retail Partners NI fought off stiff competition from Co-op, Henderson Retail and Sainsburys Local to be awarded the coveted title of Convenience Retailer of the Year while Centra NI was runner up and highly commended in the Symbol Group of the Year category.