Australia’s best IGA and Foodland IGA stores crowned at the 2023 IGA Awards of Excellence

IGA and Foodland IGA stores from across Australia were celebrated at the National IGA Awards of Excellence. Held at The Star Gold Coast on July 17, the awards formally recognised and celebrated independent retailers from across the country.

This year’s awards were hosted by triple Gold Logie award-winning comedian, television and radio presenter, producer, and media personality Rove McManus, who helped present 25 awards to IGA and Foodland IGA independent retailers, with Bob Cybula, proud owner of North Road IGA, being inducted into the prestigious Dr Thomas S Haggai IGA Hall of Fame.

South Australia’s Saints Foodland IGA was awarded the highest accolade of the night – the 2023

IGA National Retailer of the Year, as well as the 2023 IGA National Large Store of the Year and the 2023 IGA National Large Grocery and General Merchandise Department of the Year and will go on to become the Australian representative at the International IGA Global Rally in the USA.

Grant Ramage, Metcash Food CEO said: “As independent family-owned businesses, IGA and Foodland IGA retailers pride themselves on providing their customers with exceptional customer service, products tailored to their community and local know how. It is fantastic that we can highlight their incredible stores, the amazing people who own them and the integral role that they play in their local communities.”

“Our retailers have and always will go above and beyond for their local communities. These awards are a testament to their passion, hard work, and commitment to delivering a unique shopping experience for their local customers and are truly well deserved.”

The four major award winners

were:

» Hall of Fame - Bob Cybula

» 2023 IGA National Small Store of the Year - Lovey’s IGA Xpress Hawks Nest

» 2023 IGA National Medium Store of the Year - Romeo’s Food Hall IGA South Eveleigh

» 2023 IGA National Large Store of the Year Award - Saints Foodland

» IGA 2023 IGA National Retailer of the Year - Saints Foodland IGA Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Cybula was inducted into the IGA Hall of Fame, after a career spanning over 40 years as an independent retailer. Dedicated and passionate, Bob has worked tirelessly over the years to help strengthen the independent network in Western Australia, whist at the same time doing whatever he could to support local farmers and his local community. After over 45 years in the business, you can still find him in the store every day from 8am, and he even pops in on weekends just to check in!

Speaking of his induction into the IGA Hall of Fame, Bob Cybula said: “I am incredibly honoured to be inducted into the IGA Hall of Fame and no words can really describe the feeling! I love being an independent retailer, and I have so much pride in what we have been able to achieve and the great store and first-class customer service we have been able to offer our local shoppers. I have experienced so much joy over the years being able to give back to my local community, support our local farmers and provide a better shopping experience for our locals. It was so special to have my wife, children, and grandchildren up on the stage to present this award.”

Peter Trappel from Lovey’s IGA Xpress Hawks Nest said: “It’s quite humbling to win this award again, given we were up against so many great retailers with amazing stores who are doing whatever they can to support their local communities. It is so positive and motivating for our team to be recognised in such a way. They are a tight knit team who have been together for a several years and work so hard every day to deliver a fantastic shopping experience.

The focus of the entire team, from our Store Manager right through to our newest junior is on providing the best customer service possible and we are proud about how they deliver to that each day and support the local community.”

Joseph Romeo from Romeo’s Food Hall IGA South Eveleigh said: “Our family wanted to create a world class shopping experience that allowed us to share our passion for food with local shoppers and we were fortunate enough to be able to do this in the amazing South Eveleigh precinct. We have been able to incorporate a traditional wood oven pizza, sushi, carvery, butcher, fishmonger, continental deli florist, and supermarket into the historical train sheds, and preserve the wonderful history of these buildings, with equipment from days gone by being part of the shopping experience. The team are passionate and work so hard to bring to life a unique offer and we could not be prouder.”

Philip Funnell from Saints Foodland IGA said: “Winning the National Retailer of the Year was not only great recognition for all the hard work our team do, but it was also great recognition for the John

Chapley family and their vision for this store. We are so proud of the entire team at Saints that work hard in the store day in and day out and the passion they have for delivering a world class shopping experience for our locals. We love the store, the site and the community have really embraced us, and we can’t thank them enough. The local community will be proud about this win, and we hope people feel proud to come to a store where their kids work and one that supports their local sporting teams – it’s a real family atmosphere.”

Full list of awards and recipients included:

» 2023 IGA National Small Fresh Award - Lovey’s IGA Xpress Hawks Nest

» 2023 IGA National Small Grocery & Perishables AwardLovey’s IGA Xpress Hawks Nest

» 2023 IGA National Medium

Delicatessen Department of the Year - White’s IGA Mt Coolum

» 2023 IGA National Medium

Meat Department of the YearIGA Creswick

» 2023 IGA National Medium

Bakery Department of the YearBlair Athol IGA

» 2023 IGA National Medium

Fresh Produce Department of the Year - IGA Myaree

» 2023 IGA National Medium

Grocery & General Merchandise

Department of the YearRomeo’s Food Hall IGA South Eveleigh

» 2023 IGA National Medium

Dairy & Freezer Department of the Year - IGA Midway Buronga

» 2023 IGA National Large

Delicatessen Department of the Year - Teitzel’s IGA Tully

» 2023 IGA National Large Meat

Department of the YearHasting Co-Op IGA Plus Liquor

Sovereign Place

» 2023 IGA National Large

Bakery Department of the Year

- Ritchie’s Fine Food & Wine IGA Taren Point

» 2023 IGA National Large Fresh

Produce Department of the Year

- Kilkenny Foodland IGA

» 2023 IGA National Large

Grocery & General Merchandise

Department of the Year - Saints Foodland IGA

» 2023 IGA National Large Dairy & Freezer Department of the Year - Everfresh IGA Capestone

» 2023 IGA National Customer Service & Experience AwardWhite’s IGA Baringa

» 2023 National Rising Star

Award - Mitchell Naylor, Mannum IGA

» 2023 IGA National Community

Award - IGA Local Grocer Domain Central

» 2023 IGA National Small

Transformation & Innovation

Award - IGA Xpress Laburnum

» 2023 IGA National Medium

Transformation & Innovation

Award - Seasons IGA East

Brisbane

» 2023 IGA National Large

Transformation & Innovation

Award - Ritchie’s Fine Food & Wine IGA Taren Point

» Hall of Fame - Bob Cybula

» 2023 IGA National Small Store of the Year - Lovey’s IGA Xpress Hawks Nest

» 2023 IGA National Medium Store of the Year - Romeo’s Food Hall IGA South Eveleigh

» 2023 IGA National Large Store of the Year Award - Saints Foodland

» IGA2023 IGA National Retailer of the Year - Saints Foodland IGA