IAA reveals the best shops in the UK and Ireland

MEGAN HUMPHREY

JACK Matthews, of Bradley’s Supermarkets in Rothley, was crowned the UK’s Overall Best Shop at this year’s Independent Achievers Academy (IAA) Learning & Development Festival.

The event, in Birmingham, recognised the achievements of independent convenience retailers excelling in the core principles of retailing.

Matthews said: “It’s been a whirlwind couple of years for our business, with overhauls at both sites, but this gives me great con�idence.”

Reuben and Luke Singh Mander, owners of The Three Singh’s in North Yorkshire, were named this year’s Rising Star.

The full list of IAA Category Stars is: Asiyah and Jawad Javed, of Day-Today Alloa Road, for Marketing to Customers; Barry Patel, of Nisa Marsh Farm, for Customer Service; Judith and Roger Smitham, from The Old Dairy – Pydar Stores, for

Effective Ranging and Innovation; Dee Sedani, of One Stop Packmoor, for Availability; Nishi Patel, from Londis Bexley Park, for Shop Layout; Matthews was named for his Merchandising & Display; Sue Nithyanandan, from Costcutter Epsom, for Responsible Retailing; Jacqui Dales, of London Road

Bakery, for Staff Development; Susan Connolly, of Spar Pewsey, for Service to the Community; and Andrew Newton, owner of Nisa Local Colley Gate, for Environmental Sustainability.

Dia Stronach 020 7689 3375

SodaStream expands Vaping crackdown

SUCCESSFUL trials with Nisa and Spar have led to SodaStream expanding further into convenience.

The machines use CO2 cylinders and mixers to make �lavoured carbonated drinks at home. Partnered retailers can act as return points for

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the cannisters and return a deposit to customers for each one received.

Stores can make margins of up to 15% on each £12.99 replacement cannister and £5.99 mixer sold, as well as extra commission for handling returned cannisters.