Fourth generation family business Giacopazzi’s has won the prestigious Scottish Local Retailer of the Year award, with Managing Director of the store Joanna Casonato heading off to Las Vegas in October to take part in world’s largest convenience retailing trade conference as part of the prize.
The SLR Rewards 2015 took place on Thursday at Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow and saw the Milnathort store win one of the biggest prizes in the industry.
Giacopazzi’s operates as a Nisa store in the Kinross village of Milnathort, where it was opened as an ice cream parlour in 1910 by Joanna’s great-grandfather Giuseppe. The store is now owned by Joanna and her husband Franck, who last year made a huge personal investment in refurbishing the store for the 21st century.
In addition to being named Scottish Local Retailer of the Year, the store also won Best Refit and Bread & Bakery Retailer of the Year.
The SLR Rewards are unique in the industry with every winner on the evening collecting a fantastic Reward. These included trips to Las Vegas, Lille in France, Mechelen in Belgium and London.
The event also saw former Scottish Grocers’ Federation Chief Executive John Drummond win the Special Achievement Award for his dedication to the convenience industry during a long career.
It was a particularly strong year for Nisa, with a further three Rewards, including two for the stunning new Pinkie Farm Convenience Store, which won Best New Store and Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year, while Food to Go Retailer of the Year was Nisa Local David’s Kitchen.
There were four awards for Spar and three for Premier, with Day-Today and Family Shopper fascias also winning. Independents were also represented with L&A Stores in Aberdeen winning Soft Drinks Retailer of the Year, Kincraig Stores winning Best Use of Technology and Glasgow specialist The Good Spirits Company being named Spirits Retailer of the Year.
SLR Editor Kevin Scott commented: “Giacopazzi’s is a hugely deserving winner of Scottish Local Retailer of the Year. It’s one of those stores that you wished you lived near yourself because you would never be out of it! The refit involved a huge personal investment by Joanna and Franck, but one look at the store they’ve created and it’s clear to see this was money well spent.
“What’s also clear is that they understand modern retail and what a convenience store must provide for its customers and its local community. Joanna and Franck’s passion and attention to deal is evident in every aspect of the store and throughout their approach to the business. We’re delighted to be sending Joanna off to Las Vegas and seeing what ideas she returns with.”
Winners in full
- Beer Retailer of the Year: Day Today Beith
- Biscuit Retailer of the Year: Spar Abronhill
- Bread & Bakery Retailer of the Year: Giacopazzi & Co (Nisa), Milnathort
- Confectionery Retailer of the Year: Premier Broadway Convenience Store, Edinburgh
- Crisps & Snacks Retailer of the Year: Premier Broadway Convenience Store, Edinburgh
- Making the Most of Milk: Spar Boswell Park, Ayr
- Newstrade Retailer of the Year: Spar Leven Street, Motherwell
- Soft Drinks Retailer of the Year: L&A Stores, Aberdeen
- Spirits Retailer of the Year: The Good Spirits Company, Glasgow
- Community Involvement Retailer of the Year: Hardthorn Stores (Premier), Dumfries
- Food to go Retailer of the Year: Nisa Local David’s Kitchen, Glenrothes
- Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year: Pinkie Farm Convenience Store (Nisa), Musselburgh
- Best Refit: Giacopazzi & Co (Nisa), Milnathort
- New Store of the Year: Pinkie Farm Convenience Store (Nisa), Musselburgh
- Responsible Retailer of the Year: Family Shopper Lochside, Ayr
- Best Use of Technology: Kincraig Stores
- Employee of the Year: Susan Dunn – Spar Carnoustie High Street
- Special Contribution: John Drummond
- Scottish Local Retailer of the Year: Giacopazzi & Co (Nisa), Milnathort
