NR Awards Criteria
The Neighbourhood Retailer Awards criteria highlight how thorough the judging process is for each category. Please ensure you are familiar with the criteria before you enter your chosen categories.
Neighbourhood Store of the Year
Category 1: Convenience store up to 1,500 sq ft
This category is open to all convenience stores with a selling area of less than 1,500 sq ft.
Category 2: Convenience store 1,501-3,500sq ft
This category is open to all convenience stores with a selling area of between 1,501 sq ft and 3,500 sq ft.
Category 3: Convenience store 3,501 sq ft – 7,000 sq ft
This category is open to all convenience stores with a selling area of between 3,501sq ft and 7,000 sq ft.
Category 4: Convenience store over 7,000 sq ft.
This category is open to all convenience stores with a selling area of more than 7,000 sq ft. Each store entered will be required to identify the size category into which it fits. The process will judge how well the product range and services reflect the size of the store. Judges will consider all aspects of the retail offering which will include:
- Convenience in terms of opening hours, product range, available services and facilities, access and parking.
- Merchandising and display including layout, signage and presentation.
- Customer service including staff availability, efficiency, product knowledge level of staff engagement.
Stores will gain higher scores by providing value added services which customers may not expect to find. These categories will be judged initially by mystery visit.
Newcomer of the Year
This category will be judged against the appropriate criteria for the type and size of the store and must be in business not more than two years up to and including June 21, 2014. This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.
Bakery of the Year
This category is open to all independent bakeries or in store bakeries that provide a range of products that keep their customers coming back. Judges will be looking for both innovative and traditional products to suit customer demand. Stores will be judged on the merchandising and presentation, counter services and pre-pack offering, quality, freshness and value for money. Customer service, hygiene standards and specialist product knowledge will be taken into consideration when judging this award. This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.
Forecourt of the Year
Category 1: Forecourt with convenience store up to 1,750sq ft
This category is open to any forecourt with a convenience store which is less than 1,750 sq ft in selling floor area.
Category 2: Forecourt with convenience store more than 1,750 sq ft
This category is open to any forecourt with a convenience store which is larger than 1,750 sq ft. Each forecourt with adjoining convenience store entered will be required to identify clearly the size category into which it fits. Judges of this category will assess the levels of forecourt standards as appropriate to the size of the site and store. This will include:
- A clean and attractive forecourt area with convenient and well maintained services.
- An inviting and well stocked convenience store which provides an exceptional shopping experience.
The process will judge how well the product range and services reflect the size of the store and forecourt and entrants will gain higher scores by providing value added services which enhance the customer experience on the forecourt and in the store. These categories will be judged initially by mystery visits.
Pharmacy of the Year
The judges will be looking for a pharmacy that meets the needs of the community it serves and has a high quality range of services combined with friendly and efficient service, the specific criteria will include the following:
- Product range, available services and facilities, access and parking.
- Merchandising and display including layout, signage and presentation.
- Customer service including staff availability, efficiency, specialist product knowledge and level of staff engagement.
This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.
CTN of the Year
The category is specifically for confectionery, tobacco and newsagent stores and not general convenience stores. The judges will be looking for a CTN, which clearly meets the needs of its customers and stocks an extensive variety of CTN products. The specific criteria will include the following:
- Product range, available services and facilities, access and parking.
- Merchandising and display including layout, signage and presentation.
- Customer service including staff availability, efficiency, specialist product knowledge and level of staff engagement.
This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.
Off-Licence of the Year
This award is open to all off-licensed premises. The judges will be looking for an off-licence that clearly meets the needs of its customers and stocks an extensive variety of wines, beers, spirits and related products. Judges will be looking for exceptional customer service, staff with extensive product knowledge, and outstanding in store merchandising and display. This category will be judged by mystery visit.
Deli of the Year
The judges will be looking for an in-store deli or stand alone deli that clearly meets and exceeds the requirements of its customers. They will be looking for innovative choices and visual impact in terms of the hot and cold food offering as well as quality of the food and value for money. Customer service, hygiene standards and specialist product knowledge will be taken into consideration when judging this award. This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.
Butcher of the Year
This category is open to all independent butcher shops or in store butchers that can demonstrate expertise in their craft. Judges will be looking for an innovative and exciting range of products coupled with expert product knowledge and outstanding customer care. Stores will be judged on the merchandising and presentation, counter services and pre-pack offering, quality of products and value for money. Customer service, hygiene standards and specialist product knowledge will be taken into consideration when judging this award. This category will be judged initially by mystery visit.
Training Initiative of the Year
This category is only for neighbourhood retail stores that have introduced an innovative training initiative, which had brought about a positive change in the behaviour and attitude in their people to the benefit of the individuals; the store and customers. This category will be judged by professionals in this field based on written information forwarded by the retailer.
Green Store of the Year
Entrants to this award will be required to show how they operate their forecourt and store in an environmentally responsible manner. This may be through the use of innovative environmental technologies, the use of recycles and renewable materials, and conservation of water and electricity. Staff and customers should be aware of the initiatives used on the site and the benefits that have been achieved through these practices must be quantified. This category will be judged by professionals in this field based on written information forwarded.
Store Manager of the Year
This award is open to all owners or managers of forecourt and convenience store sites who have a minimum of two years’ experience at 1st June 2014. Candidates for this award can be nominated or self-nominate. Candidates will be asked to give evidence of measurable business success, their ability to manage and develop staff, their focus on customer service and their innovative and successful approach to improving business performance in all areas. All entrants will be asked to complete a written submission which will be judged by a panel of industry experts. Short listed candidates will be invited to interview.