CRA

Association of Convenience Stores

Bake and Bite

Country Choice is passionate about food to go, so who better to sponsor an award that recognises the very best in this category within the convenience retailing sector?

As a leading supplier to the food to go sector, Country Choice feels it is its responsibility to promote excellence and recognise the very best in the category, which is why it is delighted to associate its Bake & Bite brand with the Convenience Retail Awards 2009. We wish all entrants the very best of luck and look forward to receiving their entries.

GlaxoSmithKline

Impulse offerings are a vital component of the convenience store.  With consumers continued demand for convenient offerings, impulse categories are developing and evolving and reflecting this in-store will be key to the success of convenience stores in the future.  GSK, with its range of leading brands - Lucozade Energy, Lucozade Sport and Ribena - is committed to working with retailers to get their impulse offer right in store and increase impulse purchases.

We are delighted to be involved in the Convenience Retail Awards and look forward to receiving your entry to this important category. We wish you the best of luck in winning this prestigious accolade.

Imperial Tobacco

Iain Watkins, Imperial Tobacco's Trade Communications Manager comments:
'It remains both gratifying and rewarding to recognise trade excellence
in the convenience sector and our longstanding association with the
Convenience Retail Awards is an important element of our support
programme.
C-Store operators account for over 53% of cigarette sales in the UK and
Imperial Tobacco is hugely committed to providing this important trade
channel with levels of support commensurate with our category-leading
position. I look forward to congratulating the winners at the 2009
awards ceremony.'

Mars

Mars is proud to sponsor the Confectionery Retailer of the Year award as part of our ongoing commitment to helping convenience store retailers drive sales and grow their business. We believe that this award recognises retailers who focus on the right range and display for their store developing their displays to maximise sales.

The retail environment is becoming increasingly competitive and there are simple things that convenience retailers can do in-store to give their business the edge.  By optimising the range of confectionery, convenience retailers can substantially increase sales by up to 10%. By displaying the top selling products that their customers want in an easy-to-navigate display, retailers can reap the rewards and substantially drive sales.

The winner of this award will illustrate a best-in-class confectionery range and display.

Muller Dairy

Colin Smith, Sales Director of Müller® UK which has supported the Chilled Retailer of the Year category for eight consecutive years - this year as solus sponsor of the Award, says: "Within the grocery market the chilled category is by far the biggest, generating £15.9 billion-worth of sales a year and it is one of the most innovative in terms of brand support and development.  The chiller cabinet offers enormous growth potential for convenience retailers, but it's an area which remains under-developed in a significant number of convenience stores.  

"The importance of this award shouldn't be under-estimated as it raises the bar and recognises those retailers who have really seized the opportunity and are doing everything they can to attract shoppers to purchase chilled products in their stores.  As the UK's leading yogurt producer we are proud to continue our association with an award which promotes excellence in chilled retailing." 

P&G

P&G recognises that thriving and efficient convenience stores are an essential element of the UK's dynamic retail environment. As part of its commitment to convenience retailers across the UK, P&G helps retailers through its ShelfHelp merchandising initiative. The programme offers advice on ranging, merchandising and in-store display, as well as ensuring that staff are not only well trained, but also knowledgable about the products they stock.

Paul Lettice, Trade Communications Manager for P&G said, "The UK convenience channel is a vital part of the retail landscape and well run stores are key to the channel's success. We wish all the entrants the very best of luck with the awards and we look forward to celebrating their successes at the Convenience Retail Awards 2009."

Premier Foods

Store Innovation of the Year Award by: Premier Foods
Premier Foods is delighted to be sponsoring the Convenience Retail Awards.  
Premier Foods' portfolio now includes over 60 great British brands such as Hovis, Mr Kipling, Branston, Ambrosia, Sharwood's and Batchelors.  The convenience sector is of great importance to the ambient grocery market and ensuring you have the right range is key to optimising sales. Premier Foods is at the forefront of bringing exciting new innovation to the marketplace and when demonstrated in store this can produce outstanding results. From spreads to soups, cakes to cooking sauces, Premier Foods is well positioned to help you drive sales growth.