LONDON – Fresh The Good Food Market has won the 2018 NACS International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award for its Camden Street store in Dublin, Ireland. The award, sponsored by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, was presented during the NACS Convenience Summit Europe in London on yesterday at this year’s NACS European Convenience Retail Awards gala.
“Jack’s Link’s is very proud to honor such an innovative retailer,” said Scott Hill, vice president of convenience sales, at Jack Link’s. Fresh The Good Food Market has elevated convenience to a new level with its focus on sourcing and producing the best fresh produce and food, and by putting the customer experience at the core of everything they do.”
The award recognizes the most innovative and successful international convenience and fuel retailing store of the year, as chosen by a Grand Jury of leading international retailers and experts. The winner earns the accolade of “the best convenience store in the world.”
Judges agreed that Fresh The Good Market exemplifies excellence in convenience retailing. Said one judge: “Really a unique and powerful example of ‘foodvenience,’ with food as a destination and a broad range and appeal set in an authentic food experience.” Another judge added, “One of the stand-out entrants this year, strong across all categories and challenging the norm for urban convenience retailing.”
Since the company started 10 years ago, Fresh The Good Food Market has made a conscious effort to differentiate its brand and business model as far from traditional convenience retailing as possible. It operates as an upscale, urban grocery store that also offers a mix of freshly prepared food to go, food for later and in-store casual dining, ultimately carving a new niche for itself in the sector. The store provides a changing food offer throughout the day, offering all-day dining and in-store eating, gourmet take-home meals and world cuisine-themed evenings.
Competition for this year’s International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award was strong, with 14 finalists from retail companies in India, Ireland, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia and Spain selected by convenience and fuel retailing industry peers. Garnering Honorable Mentions from the Grand Jury were OTR Fullerton in the fuel retailer category and SimplyFresh University of Surrey for non-fuel retailer.
Grand Jury members consisted of Frank Gleeson, Aramark Northern Europe; Dan Munford, Insight Research; Michael Davis, NACS; Mark Wohltmann, NACS Europe; Magnar Mokkelgard, NACS Europe; Joe Bona, Bona Design Labs; Gary Harris, SPAR International; Jeff Murphy, TMG Consultancy; Craig Panter, Invenco Group Limited; Christian Warning, The Retail Marketeers; Marco Fuhrer, Fuhrer & Hotz AG; Santiago Ferreccio, YPF; and Markus Laenzlinger, Migrolino.
The NACS Convenience Summit Europe brings together convenience and fuel retailing industry professionals from around the world for new knowledge, new commercial connections and networking, and the opportunity to discover and discuss new ideas from retail store tours. The prestigious International Convenience Retail Awards program, now in its 10th year, is a highlight of the annual event.