SPAR Australia awards impartial retailers

The 2024 SPAR Australia Trade Show was held from 15-17 August at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.

SPAR Australia Managing Director Lou Jardin.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of SPAR’s theme and ethos of ‘Better Together’, which further strengthens its joint co-operation between the retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers.

Celebrating another successful trade show, the SPAR Australia annual Gala Awards dinner was held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre. Retailers, Suppliers as well as the directors and staff of SPAR Australia joined to celebrate the achievements of SPAR Retailers over the last year.

“The evening was all about celebrating what makes SPAR stand out in the crowd, what makes us different and how our stores service their local customers,” SPAR Australia Managing Director Lou Jardin said.

Held on Saturday, 17 August, the Gala Awards Dinner was hosted by Scott Williams, known as ‘The Doctor’.

The evening commenced with the presentation of the ‘Little SPAR Award’. This award was presented for the third time. The inaugural winner whom the award is named after was Bob and Judith Little from SPAR Maclean. Last year the ‘Little Award’ was presented to the English family who own SPAR Malanda. “Both the Little and English families are true pioneers of the SPAR family in Australia,” Mr Jardin said.

“This year, SPAR Australia recognised Miles Hedge, another true hero of the SPAR family and the independent industry. Mr Hedge is the former Chairman of SPAR Australia Limited. His commitment and actions many years ago allowed a smooth transition to the current ownership structure. If it wasn’t for his dedication, SPAR as we know it, would not be here today. Congratulations again to Mr Hedge.”

The Store of the Year Awards was presented by SPAR Australia Managing Director Lou Jardin and SPAR Guild Council Deputy Chair Dimitri Spyrakis. “SPAR would like to congratulate the retailers on their success in their respective categories.”

SPAR Store of the Year 2024 – SPAR Tweed Heads
SPAR Express Store of the Year 2024 – SPAR Express Morpeth.

SPAR Australia’s Retail Awards Program identifies and recognises retailers who are excelling in their businesses. The Department awards were presented by SPAR Australia Chief Operating Officer Mark McGuinness. “Congratulations to the retailers for their success in the Department Awards.”

SPAR Grocery Award – SPAR Tweed Heads
SPAR Express Grocery Award – SPAR Express Morpeth
Dairy / Freezer Award – SPAR Ballina
Fresh Food Award – SPAR Malanda
Food To Go Award – SPAR Express Oxenford.

SPAR Australia presented the Store Manager of the year Award. “This person has been the leading force in building the SPAR brand in their local community.”

SPAR Store Manager Award – Anastacia Riley, SPAR Express Granville.

The Community/Partnership/Foundation (CPF) Award was presented and awarded to a retailer who has embraced the CPF concept and is an example for the rest of the network to follow. The aim of CPF is to improve the retail culture throughout the group, the stores local community, and for the SPAR brand to become first choice for independent retailers.

SPAR Community/Partnership/Foundation Award – SPAR Bourke.

In addition to the awards presented to retailers, three suppliers were recognised for their stands at the trade show. “SPAR would like to congratulate the following suppliers on their success in the stand awards and thank them for the effort they put into the event.” The awards were presented by SPAR Australia Managing Director Lou Jardin and National Merchandise Manager Colin Dwyer.

Small Supplier Stand 2024 – Penfield Olives
Medium Supplier Stand 2024 – Calbee Australia
Large Supplier Stand 2024 – Suntory Beverage & Food.

“SPAR Australia would like to congratulate all Retailers who were nominated in the 2024 SPAR Retail Awards and made the judging process an extremely competitive one,” Mr Jardin said.

Since becoming Managing Director of SPAR Australia in December 2010, Mr Jardin has vowed to continue to provide competition at the wholesale level, ensuring independent retailers are able to source deals that allow them to compete in the market and ensure the survival of family businesses in the grocery industry.

Locally owned and operated, SPAR stores are part of the worldwide SPAR family. Over 13,900 SPAR stores in over 50 countries across four continents meet the needs of over 14.7 million customers daily. “At SPAR, our customers can be assured of great service, a great range, low prices every day and specials that will save them money.”