BY C.J.MCGINLEY
THREE Donegal SPAR and SPAR Express stores received the ultimate accolade, taking home Top of the Tree awards at the recent 5 Star Awards ceremony.
The Top of the Tree Awards are only given to the very best 5 Star Award winners, singling out their outstanding departments for special recognition.
Held in association with the Excellence Ireland Quality Association, the 5 Star Awards are given to SPAR and SPAR Express stores that pass a grueling year-long inspection, including unannounced audits and visits from mystery shoppers.
The most deserving stores within each category are then singled out to receive a Top of the Tree Award.
SPAR The Cope, Annagry won a Top of the Tree Award for their Fruit & Veg department while Tobin’s SPAR Express won two Top of the Tree categories; Delicatessen and Overall Cutomer Care and McGonigle’s SPAR Muff also won two Top of the Tree categories; Wine Store and Overall Customer Care.
Colin Donnelly, SPAR National Sales Manager, congratulated the winning retailers, Joe & Marie McGonigle, SPAR Muff, Annette & Eddie Tobin, SPAR Express Port Road, Letterkenny and SPAR The Cope Annagry,
He said, “SPAR and SPAR Express retailers are among the best in Ireland, and we are proud to honour them. All year long these independent business people support their local communities, providing employment both directly in their stores and through local suppliers. I am delighted to see three Donegal recipients among this year’s winners.”
Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods (owners and operators of the SPAR and SPAR Express brands in Ireland), said, “SPAR and SPAR Express retailers strive for excellence in every aspect of their service to their shoppers and the local communities in which they are embedded. In meeting the exacting standards of the 5 Star Awards programme our retailers consistently improve customer service and satisfaction and build the reputations of the SPAR and SPAR Express brands.”
James Meehan, SPAR The Cope, Annagry said; “We are delighted to have received this award as endorsements for the work we’ve done in making our Fruit & Veg Department best in class.”
Joe McGonigle, SPAR Muff said; “This is more than anything a testament to our hard working staff and our desire and ambition to keep providing the highest level of service to our loyal customers”.
Eddie Tobin, SPAR Express Port Road, Letterkenny said; “Top of the Tree is not only a mark of pride for our store and staff but importantly it lets our customers know that we are going above and beyond. These accolades are a point of differentiation in what is a very competitive marketplace and we’re honoured to receive the recognition.”
SPAR The Cope, Annagry employs 12 staff locally and their extended opening hours are 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 9pm Sunday.
SPAR Muff employs 38 staff locally and is open 7 days a week 7am to 11pm.
SPAR Express Port Road, Letterkenny employs 32 staff locally and is open 7.30am – 10.30pm Monday to Saturday and 9am – 10.30pm Sunday.
Ends
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