Penton Corporate


	belfast \| t: +44 28 9045 7457 \| f: +44 28 9045 6611 \| e: info@pentongroup.com

Penton Corporate

ABOUT
LATEST NEWS
AWARDS
GALA DINNER
ENTRY FORM

ARCHIVE

PENTON HOME

LATEST NEWS

Official sponsor

READY, STEADY, GO!
The race for victory is on! Ireland’s leading forecourt and convenience retailers get set for fierce competition as the countdown to the IF&CR Awards 2008 begins.

The prestigious event takes place at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel on Friday 26th September and promises to be a night to remember and the ideal treat for hardworking staff. The champagne reception, three course dinner and glittering awards ceremony, that are followed by an evening of entertainment, is sure to get the winners celebrating and the runners up vowing they will win next year!

“Retailers are taking a fresh approach to their image and many initiatives are already underway to spruce up the look of operations nationwide and keep them at the cutting edge of convenience retailing. The ambience of a store is now more important than ever as attractive presentation, stylish surroundings and first class customer service are all key in creating a pleasing environment for customers and to maximise their experience” says Bill Penton, Publisher of Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer. “As the only trade awards in Ireland to focus solely on the needs of forecourt and convenience retailers, Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer Awards play a crucial role in helping to raise industry standards by recognising excellence and rewarding professionalism in what is becoming an extremely competitive sector.”

Now in its fourth year, Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer Awards are known as the industry’s answer to the Oscars and a key focal point in the sector’s calendar, attracting over 1800 entries each year. The awards are sponsored by Cuisine de France, who have recently marked the single biggest investment in the Irish food industry with the development of their new HQ in Clondalkin.

Mark Gavin, commercial director of Cuisine de France comments, "As a forward looking and dynamic company, we understand the level of commitment and resources needed to constantly innovate and re-engineer in order to stay competitive. In recent years On-the-Go dining has taken on a new heightened level of sophistication and fresh is now firmly at the forefront of consumers minds and needs.

“Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer Awards are important as they help highlight and recognise the efforts that these leading retailers make in understanding and maximising their consumers’ experience."

Awards will be presented for the following categories; Forecourt Retailer of the Year, Convenience Retailer of the Year, Forecourt/Convenience Store of the Year (Categories 1 & 2), Newcomer of the Year, Best Deli, Best Forecourt Facilities, Best Customer Service, Best Use of Category Management, Best Site with License to Sell Alcohol, Best Food To Go, Best Oil Company Initiative and Training Initiative of the Year

Judged independently by Trade Track Ireland the awards will showcase the best that the industry has to offer for the local consumer.

Bill Penton, publisher of Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer and Mark Gavin, commercial director of Cuisine de France, with model Jenny Lee Masterson

Due to phenomenal interest in the Convenience Store of the Year category, which was launched in 2007, IF&CR will once again be welcoming entries from all convenience operations on high streets and forecourts throughout Ireland.

Further information and details on how to enter can be found in this issue’s special IF&CR Awards supplement. The deadline for entry is Friday 4th July.

Pat O’Neill, retail operations manager for Tougher Oil; the celebrated winners of the coveted Forecourt Retailer of the Year 2007 award, recently said, “Winning the award for best deli was great and then to be crowned the overall winner was just fantastic. We worked very hard at building up the business and developing a positive team spirit throughout 2007. To have this effort recognized and rewarded with the highest trade accolades was very satisfying for all the team. The congratulations we received from our customers and suppliers alike was overwhelming, it has boosted our confidence and energised us with an even stronger focus on providing our customers with the highest levels of customer care possible.

“The importance of competition cannot be underestimated. The desire to improve one’s business and operate professionally is what all of us in business should be striving for and this competition offers the perfect tool towards this end. We look forward to defending our titles this year in what is an ever-improving competitive market,” adds Pat.

Rachel Kilmartin of Kilmartin Service Station in Athlone – winners of the 2006 Forecourt/Convenience Store of the Year, said, “We’re ecstatic. We’re delighted for the staff and delighted for ourselves. A lot of hard work goes into winning of course, so to bring these awards back to our staff is fantastic.”

For further information on Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer Awards and how to enter:
Contact: Michelle Murphy on +4428 9045 7457

The deadline for entries is 4th July 2008

Penton Corporate