2017 Winners Announced

The 2017 National Grocery Management Awards were presented on 17 May at a Gala Dinner in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire.

The event was the biggest-ever in the Awards’ 15 year history with more than 400 in attendance. 23 awards were presented, honouring the best in the many departments that make up local convenience stores and supermarkets, culminating in the grand prize of ShelfLife National Grocery Retail Manager of the Year.

Glenn Myers of SuperValu Charlesland, Greystones, Co. Wicklow was named Retail Manager of the Year 2017. He was presented the award by Owen Clifford, head of retail convenience at Bank of Ireland, the ShelfLife Grocery Management Awards’ platinum sponsor.

“We are delighted to be associated with the GMAs this year, because we want to acknowledge the hard work that goes into the grocery retail industry,” commented Owen Clifford. “Irish retailers are continually winning international awards for high standards and innovation. Tonight’s awards are a testament to that success over the past twelve months; to the industry’s commitment to local areas and to creating employment.”

ShelfLife publisher John McDonald added that the competition was stronger than it has been in a long time. “Having met so many quality managers over the past few months I am reassured that our supermarket and convenience store sector is in safe hands,” he said. “Visits to stores represented by these exceptional department and store managers have reinforced this view.

“Ours is a standards-led industry, and the GMA finalists have clearly demonstrated that they are the finest managers in Ireland. It has been a wonderful experience meeting them all individually, and to see the winners honoured before their colleagues and peers at the event has been a truly gratifying experience. I wish them all the very best for their future careers.”

Gillian Hamill, editor of ShelfLife commented on the results: “The expertise and dedication demonstrated by Ireland’s winning grocery managers clearly shows the opportunities for career progression that exist within the retail sector. An impressive skillset is imperative to thrive at this level, which this year’s winners possess in abundance.”

The full list of awards, winners and sponsors:

SHELFLIFE NATIONAL GROCERY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY BANK OF IRELAND
Glenn Myers, SuperValu Charlesland, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

BEST IN-STORE BAKERY MANAGER
SPONSORED BY ODLUMS
Garreth Lougheed, MOPI SuperValu, Swords

FRUIT & VEG MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY K+K PRODUCE/KENNEDY’S
Jurgita Mirauskiene, Nally’s SuperValu, Trim, Co. Meath

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY FUTURE PROOF TRAINING
Niamh Newman, Dunnes Stores, The Mill S.C., Dublin

SUPERMARKET DELICATESSEN/FOOD-TO-GO MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY REACH RETAIL SERVICES
Glen Geraghty, MOPI SuperValu, Sundrive Road, Dublin

C-STORE DELICATESSEN/FOOD-TO-GO MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY REACH RETAIL SERVICES
Carol Ahearne, Applegreen, Moangarrif, Clonmel

OFF-LICENCE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY GUNPOWDER IRISH GIN and DALCASSIAN WINES & SPIRITS
Peter Hamilton, Pettitt’s SuperValu, St. Aidan’s S.C., Wexford

PROTEIN & PROVISIONS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY EIQA
Dean Byrne, MOPI SuperValu, Blanchardstown Village, Dublin

CASH & CARRY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SHELFLIFE.IE
Jim Bourke, Musgrave MarketPlace, Clare Street, Limerick

BRAND MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY BWG FOODS
Heineken

BRAND SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY MUSGRAVE MARKETPLACE
John Player

BRAND MERCHANDISING TEAM OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SHELFLIFE MAGAZINE
HB (Unilever)

SMALL C-STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY FMI
Brendan Bernes, Spar Riverside, Mulhuddart, Dublin

MEDIUM C-STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY POSTPOINT
Mandy McGuire, Gala Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry

LARGE C-STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY POSTPOINT
Declan Prunty, Brett’s Centra, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare

SMALL FORECOURT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SEATTLE’S BEST
Paddy O’Hanlon, Maxol/Mace, Dublin Road, Co. Louth

LARGE FORECOURT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SEATTLE’S BEST
Gintare Goldienyte, Topaz City Avenue, Citywest

SMALL SUPERMARKET MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY BANK OF IRELAND
Glenn Myers, MOPI SuperValu Charlesland, Greystones, Wicklow

MEDIUM SUPERMARKET MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY BANK OF IRELAND
Geoff Barry, Kane McCartney SuperValu, Talbot Street, Dublin

LARGE SUPERMARKET MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY BANK OF IRELAND
Dwayne Hunt, Smith’s SuperValu, Kinsale, Cork

SUPERSTORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY BANK OF IRELAND
Joe Thompson, Tesco Clarehall S.C., Dublin

BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE
SPONSORED BY EXCEL RECRUITMENT
Tarpey’s SuperValu, Lakeland Retail Park, Cavan

JOINT BUSINESS PLANNING AWARD
SPONSORED BY SHELFLIFE MAGAZINE
EuroSpar