A number of MACE stores from around the country - including Westmeath - have been recognised for achieving high standards in retailing at the annual MACE Excellence Awards, held recently in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel.
O’Reilly’s MACE Ballinalack was part of a special group of retailers who received the Excellence Award on the night.
Addressing MACE retailers at the awards ceremony, Willie O’Byrne, managing director BWG Foods (owners and operators of the MACE brand in Ireland ) said, “the MACE Excellence Awards apply to those who, through their commitment to the highest retail standards and customer service, continue to help the network outperform its peers. I would like to congratulate our MACE retailers who have not only demonstrated resilience in managing their businesses in tough conditions but who have excelled in raising store standards. These are positive reinforcements for the MACE brand and sets a challenging benchmark for the remainder of 2012,” said O’Byrne.
Retailers who achieve the MACE Excellence Award must comply with a strict set of criteria which involves stores being rigorously monitored throughout the year in areas such as shop presentation, food safety, and legal compliance.
The assessment also involves surprise audits carried out on an ongoing basis throughout the year by mystery shoppers as well as MACE personnel to ensure that the highest possible standards are being upheld on a continuous basis.
Congratulating recipients of the MACE Excellence Award, Alex Banahan, sales director said: “It is great credit to MACE retailers and staff that the standards continue to improve year on year and I am particularly pleased with the significant improvement in customer service mystery shopper audits overall.”
MACE is the longest established convenience brand in Ireland, serving local communities for more than 50 years. Operated by independent retailers, the network includes local community stores as well as forecourt shopping, with approximately 240 stores around the country.
