Following a record 400 entries from across Ireland, 30 local independent retailers have excelled in their field and made the shortlist for the industry’s biggest event - Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer Awards 2011.
Kilmartin N6 Service Station has been shortlisted for the award for Forecourt/Convenience Store of the Year (category 3 with c-store 1,751 sq ft plus ).
Sponsored by PostPoint, with final presentations to be made on September 9 at a gala awards ceremony hosted by Grainne Seoige in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, the iconic IFCR Awards 2011 will see more than 350 industry professionals vying to win 14 awards - including the coveted Forecourt Retailer of the Year accolade.
For the past six years the IFCR Awards - which are independently and rigorously judged by Spotcheck - have rewarded professionalism and entrepreneurial spirit in retailing, highlighted innovation and commitment and, at the same time, helped raise industry standards.
This year is no different and retailers reaching the final stages include leading names in the forecourt and convenience industry such as Centra, Costcutter, Spar, Maxol, Heathcotes Fine Foods, Topaz, Texaco, and Amber - all of whom create jobs and invest in the local economy.
Bill Penton, publisher of Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer said, “Retailers across Ireland are certainly taking a fresh approach to their business and this can been seen in the competitiveness of this year’s awards. We are delighted at the response and dramatic increase in the number of entrants this year and look forward to the gala awards ceremony where we will find out which finalist will be given the overall prestigious title of Forecourt Retailer of the Year.”
Barry Dignam, head of sales and marketing, PostPoint said, “PostPoint are delighted to be the Platinum sponsor of Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer Awards 2011. We see the innovation and drive that forecourt retailers have and we see ourselves as a partner for them in the delivery of a one-stop solution to their customers. We are proud to be associated with any event that recognises the high calibre of retailing in Ireland.”