Following the virtual Festival of Excellence that was the SLR Awards 2021, our winning retailers met-up for a celebratory lunch at Glasgow’s Blythswood Hotel, where they were also presented with their trophies.
Confectionery Retailer of the Year
Day Today Stenhousemuir
Having started out in life as a traditional ‘sweetie shop’, Day Today Stenhousemuir has continued to prioritise the confectionery category with a unique range of products.
Food-to-Go Retailer of the Year
Premier Birnam Stores
When coronavirus caused a downturn in the food-to-go market, the Johal family redoubled their efforts and created a next-generation takeaway food and drink offer.
Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year
Spar Coylton
A recent refit by Ayrshire Spar retailer Chris McCallum proved the perfect opportunity to take his fresh and chilled offer to the next level.
Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year (Convenience multiple)
Scotmid Barnton
Scotmid Barnton offers a view into the future of convenience retailing with its fresh and chilled offer.
Newstrade Retailer of the Year
Premier Turriff
With three consecutive SLR Newstrade Retailer of the Year Awards, Turriff-based retailer Ian Smith’s store shows just what is possible when you fully commit to a category.
Off-Trade Retailer of the Year
Nisa Greens of Ellon
In a standout year for alcohol sales, Nisa Greens of Ellon stood out more than most by creating a fantastic shopping experience and offering an outstanding range.
Scottish Brands Retailer of the Year
Nisa Greens of Ellon
It’s never been more important to support local, regional and national producers to help build more robust local economies, something Nisa Greens of Ellon has understood better than most.
Soft Drinks Retailer of the Year
Spar Renfrew
Soft drinks is one of the biggest volume categories of all, making it a critical factor in the success of every store – something that Saleem Sadiq has long known in his Spar Renfrew store.
Vaping & Nicotine Replacement Retailer of the Year
Premier RaceTrack Autoport
Sales continue to grow and develop in Shamly Sud’s store.
Community Retailer of the Year
Day Today Stenhousemuir
Asiyah and Jawad Javed’s monumental efforts during the pandemic have been an inspiration to all, not just in the Stenhousemuir area but throughout Scotland and across the globe.
Community Retailer of the Year
Premier Linktown Local
Faraz Iqbal’s store has long been a hub of community activity and during lockdown he also introduced a home delivery service for vulnerable and elderly customers as well as those shielding and self-isolating.
Community Retailer of the Year
Premier Watson’s Grocer
As the only store serving Moniaive, Graham Watson’s shop has always been a vital resource for the local community, but during the pandemic the residents of the village in Dumfries and Galloway came to rely on it more than ever.
Forecourt Retailer of the Year
Premier RaceTrack Autoport
An already awe-inspiring store becomes even more impressive to retain its crown.
Home Delivery Retailer of the Year
Premier News Food & Wine Nethergate
Nobody delivered the goods during the pandemic quite like our category winner, Dundee retailer Umayr Asif.
New Store of the Year
Premier RaceTrack Crowwood
One of Shamly Sud’s latest ventures, Premier RaceTrack Crowwood takes Shamly’s vision in a new but recognisable direction.
Refit of the Year
Spar Falkirk
Anand Cheema’s first venture into owning his own store was always likely to be high pressure but he responded in style with an intelligently-designed store that is perfect for today’s shoppers.
Sustainability Retailer of the Year
Spar Coylton
Retailers who ignore sustainability do so at their peril and, as Chris McCallum’s Spar Coylton store shows, doing good really is good for business.
#ThinkSmart Innovation Award
Premier RaceTrack Autoport
Premier Racetrack is an example of what happens when innovation is built into the very fabric of a business.
Team of the Year
Spar Renfrew
Having a team that you can absolutely and entirely trust and rely on in the most challenging of circumstances is invaluable, as Saleem Sadiq discovered in March last year.
Symbol Group – Community Initiative of the Year
Nisa Retail – Making a Difference Locally
Long a fundraising star, Making A Difference Locally shone brighter than ever during the dark days of 2020.
Symbol Group – Innovation of the Year
United Wholesale Scotland
Technology can make life easier for retailers, but United Wholesale Scotland’s efforts during the pandemic also made life a whole lot safer for them too.
Symbol Group of the Year
Spar Scotland
Chief Executive Colin McLean and his management team have transformed Spar Scotland into a world-class business – one that has performed remarkably over the last 12 months.
Unsung Hero of the Year
Angela Lindsay, Premier Blackadder Mini Market & Deli
Every local retailer has been a hero during the pandemic, but Angie Lindsay’s quick thinking and prompt actions saved a customer’s life when he suffered a stroke while doing his shopping.
Special Recognition
Daniel Johnson MSP
Retailers in Scotland can look forward to safer, more respectful working environments in the future thanks to the outstanding efforts of Daniel Johnson MSP in getting his Protection of Shopworkers Act through the Scottish Parliament.
Young Scottish Local Retailer of the Year
Anand Cheema, Spar Falkirk
It may be only his first year as a local retailer but what a year it’s been for Anand Cheema, who has done himself and his mother and father proud in his little corner of Falkirk.
Scottish Local Retailer of the Year
Shamly Sud, Premier RaceTrack
Shamly Sud has created an award-winning chain of stores that is unique in the UK.
