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Gala Retail Conference

Gala:

15 Years A Growing Pictured at the Gala Annual Conference are (l-r): Helen Oldridge, Gala Financial Controller; Tony Cluskey, Marketing & Promotions Manager, Gala Retail Services; guest speaker John Teeling; Denise Lord , Customer Service Manager, Gala Retail Services; guest speakers David Mc Williams and Enda McNulty; and Gala Chairman Liam Peters.

Gala’s 2013 Retail Conference celebrated the group’s 15th birthday of remarkable retailing in Ireland.

THE Gala Retail Conference took place on October 7 and 8 in the five-star Heritage Hotel, Killenard, Co. Laois.

This two-day event proved a very special occasion that offered Gala retailers and wholesalers, along with the support team, conference exhibitors and guest speakers the opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere.

The first day saw a host of fun-packed activities organised, including golf, a trip to the National Stud and Japanese Gardens and even quad biking for the more adventurous attendees.

The following day saw Gala getting down to business with the annual Gala Conference, trade fair exhibition and B.E.S.T. Awards taking place.

15 Years of Gala

The Conference, which was opened by Liam Peters, Chairman of Gala Retail Services, coincided with Gala’s 15th birthday and so proved a welcome opportunity to celebrate a

decade and a half of remarkable retailing in Ireland. In his opening address, Liam welcomed representatives from Gala’s nationwide network of 200 stores.

Conference attendees were briefed on how the Gala group has expanded over the course of the last decade and a half, with particular mention made of some of the group’s most recent innovations.

Marketing Highlights

Some of Gala’s recent highlights include: •An association with Walt Disney on both the Wreck it Ralph and Monsters University movies; •A huge giveaway for The Gathering; •A Gala Social Media campaign which embraces the latest digital and social media, together with the best above-the-line activity, sponsorship communications, and trade plans activity.

•The introduction of the new ‘Hot and Healthier @ Gala’,

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Gala Retail Conference

The Gala shop at the Gala Trade Exhibition Hall.

a delicious deli sandwich range that allows customers to build a personalised sandwich while being calorie conscious; •Gala celebrating holding over 50 BBQ’s in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Charity.

Gala also announced details of their forthcoming chilled distribution, which is currently in the early stages of development. Gala have appointed Audrey Constantine, former Tesco Chilled Manager, as Chilled Distribution Manager, with more details coming available in the coming weeks.

Outstanding Speakers

The Conference featured an outstanding line-up of speakers, including guest

presentations from David McWilliams, one of Ireland’s most respected economic advisors and commentators, John Teeling, founder and former Chairman of Cooley Distillery; and Motiv8’s Enda McNulty, an inspirational leadership and motivational speaker who brings the same competitive spirit, merged with reliability and dependability, that he epitomised for the Armagh Gaelic Football team for 14 seasons.

Each of the speakers spoke about their roles as business leaders and what they had learnt from the economic landscape in Ireland in recent years. These sentiments were then expanded on to discuss economic drivers for the future and how Gala

Pictured are (l-r): John Murphy, Gala Regional Manager, with David McCann, Mc Cann’s Gala, Ovens Co. Cork, winner of a Gala B.E.S.T Bronze Award.

as a business can continue to grow from strength to strength in Ireland.

All three of the special guests spoke with passion, enthusiasm and shared their own inspiring experiences and their business learnings, and reflected on Ireland and how to continue to move forward as a business positively in today’s climate. Gala’s 15 year anniversary was acknowledged and celebrated.

Following the morning’s presentations, the afternoon saw the Gala Trade Fair and Exhibition, which welcomed over 65 exhibitors, with exclusive special offers for all attendees. The Trade Fair also incorporated a Gala Store, sporting the progressive group’s latest image and design.

Special thanks must go to the 65 trade exhibitors, who donated all surplus stock to the Simon Community in support of the people in our community that need it most.

That evening then saw the Gala Banquet Dinner, where Kevin and Maeve Bracken, owners of the first Gala store in Ireland at Stradbally Road, Portlaoise, which opened for business back in 1998, cut the celebratory cake, marking 15 years of Gala.

The cake was baked by the team at the award-winning Mulrooney’s Gala store in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. The Banquet also played host to a huge raffle, with all proceeds going to the Jack and Jill Children’s Charity.

Gala B.E.S.T Awards

Following a spectacular dinner, TV

Siobhan Larkin, Larkin’s Gala, Ballina, Co. Tipperary, receives a Gala B.E.S.T Gold Award from Jerry Mc Donnell, Gala National Sales and Development Manager, and event MC, Miriam O’Callaghan.

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Gala Retail Conference GALA B.E.S.T AWARDS

Margaret Frayne, Frayne’s Gala, The Duffry, Enniscorthy, is pictured receiving her Gala B.E.S.T Gold Award from Jerry Mc Donnell, Gala National Sales and Development Manager, and event MC, Miriam O’Callaghan.

Pauline Delaney, Ger Dunne and Ann Mc Evoy, from Gala Emmet Stores, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, are pictured receiving a Gala B.E.S.T Gold Award, from Jerry Mc Donnell, Gala National Sales and Development Manager, and event MC, Miriam O’Callaghan.

Gold Award Winners

Mc Gloin’s Gala, Foxford, Co. Mayo Holly’s Gala, Moyvane, Co. Kerry Frayne’s Gala, The Duffry, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Larkin’s Gala, Ballina, Co. Tipperary Tuffy’s Gala, Ballina, Co. Mayo Harkin’s Gala, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal Gala, Russell Square, Tallaght, Dublin Kane’s Gala, Carlow, Co. Carlow Durkan’s Gala, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo Gala, James St, Dublin Gala Express, Bosheen , New Ross , Co. Wexford O’Shea’s Gala, Blennerville, Co. Kerry Lunney’s Gala, Carrick on Shannon , Co. Leitrim Murphy’s Gala, Kilanerin, Co. Wexford Mc Dermott’s, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick Gala Emmet Stores, Mountmellick, Co. Laois Gala, Raheen, New Ross, Co. Wexford Egan’s Gala, Monkstown. Co. Dublin Dunne’s Gala, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry

Silver Award Winners

Candy’s Gala, Carnew, Co. Wicklow Holmes Gala, Murroe, Co. Limerick Byrne’s Gala Express, Longwood, Co. Meath Smyth’s Gala, Williamstown, Co. Galway Cullen’s Gala, Adamstown, Co. Wexford Gala M50 Oil, Ashbourne, Co. Meath Dunne’s Gala, Gneevguillia, Co. Kerry

Bronze Award Winners

Harvey’s Gala, Thurles, Co. Tipperary O Leary’s Gala Express, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Mc Cann’s Gala, Ovens, Co. Cork Whitty’s Gala, Lucan, Co. Dublin Smith’s Gala, Newtownforbes, Co. Longford Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary Milling’s Gala, Athlone, Co. Westmeath Crowe’s Gala, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare Gala, Camden Quay, Co. Cork Murphy’s Gala, Kanturk, Co. Cork Gala Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Special Category Awards

• • • • • • • • Tom Hardiman, Gala Regional Manager, is pictured with Tracey and Cathal Byrne, from Byrne’s Gala Express, Longwood, Co. Meath, winners of a Gala B.E.S.T Silver Award.

•

Customer Service Award: Merrin’s Gala, Naas, Co. Kildare Community and Merit Award: Sweeney’s Gala, Rochestown, Co. Cork Brand Champion Award: O’Shea’s Gala , Blennerville, Co. Kerry Innovation Award: Mc Gloin’s Gala, Foxford , Co. Mayo Fresh Food Award: Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary Off Licence Award: Hanlon’s Gala, Longford , Co. Longford Training and HR Award: Candy’s Gala , Carnew, Co. Wicklow Baker’s Corner Award: Mc Dermott’s Gala, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick Supplier of the Year Award: Largo Foods.

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Gala Retail Conference

Jerry Mc Donnell, Gala National Sales and Development Manager, and event MC, Miriam O’ Callaghan, present a Gala B.E.S.T Gold Award to Terry Kane (centre), Kane’s Gala, Carlow.

Pictured are (l-r): Jerry Mc Donnell, Gala National Sales and Development Manager, Mary O’Shea, Gala Blennerville, Co. Kerry, winner of a Gala B.E.S.T Gold Award; John Murphy, Gala Regional Manager; and event MC, Miriam O’Callaghan.

presenter Miriam O’Callaghan announced the winners of the Gala B.E.S.T Awards. The Awards acknowledged Gold, Silver, and Bronze standard winners, in addition to category awards for specialisms in retailing.

“The B.E.S.T awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in retail standards and customer service,” noted Jerry Mc Donnell, Gala National Sales and Development Manager .

“This year’s award winners all demonstrate the on-going commitment to excellence that is at the heart of all Gala stores.”

A total of 46 awards were presented to stores across the country, based on assessments completed across three stages: Mystery Shopper assessment, mini assessment and then final assessment, all under the B.E.S.T (Business Excellence Standards Tool) programme.

An additional eight category awards were also presented, acknowledging outstanding achievements in retail specialisms such as HR & Training, Customer Service and Brand Champion. The Supplier of the Year Award for 2013 was presented to Largo Foods.

Gerry Harvey from Harvey’s Gala, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, celebrates winning a Gala B.E.S.T Bronze Award with Gala Regional Manager, Shane Byrne.

Pictured are Jerry Mc Donnell, Gala National Sales and Development Manager, Liju Varughese, from Gala B.E.S.T Gold Award winners Tuffy’s Gala, Ballina, Co. Mayo, and event MC Miriam O’Callaghan.

Gala Regional Manager Shane Byrne is pictured with Gala B.E.S.T Bronze Award winner Sean Mulrooney, Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.