Roarty’s XL in Dunlewey, Gweedore Co. Donegal has taken the coveted title of XL Store of The Year 2012 at the national Awards held recently at the Hodson Bay Hotel Athlone. Owner Kieran Roarty also picked up the award for best enhanced store, sponsored by Kraft.
The Awards were hosted by comedian Oliver Callan, with 28 retailers across the country being rewarded for achieving high standards in various award categories.
Overall Winner Kieran Roarty’s XL store is situated between two neighbouring towns with a number of supermarkets in each, but despite this they have maintained their sales. Since an investment in upgrading the store business started to grow again. Working very closely with the XL team and the local Value Centre team in Letterkenny, the store put a strong focus on value and special offers.
Roarty’s XL also places a big focus on Customer service, providing a very friendly and inviting place for customers.
Their hard work has certainly paid off and just last November this store was the Winner of two accolades at the National C-Store awards.
Accepting the award, Kieran Roarty said: “We are delighted to have received this award recognising the tremendous work of our staff and management. The XL Awards are essential to our store in that they continue to drive and guide us in delivering great value and service to our customers.”
Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods, congratulated all the award winners on their commitment to excellent retail standards and customer service, “XL retailers are typically family businesses, most long established with a strong heritage of community retailing. A sense of place and proud record of service to local communities is clearly the defining characteristic of the XL family.”
At the presentation of the awards, Managing Director of BWG Foods Wholesale Division (operators of the XL brand) John Moane said: “The XL Store of the Year Awards have become a hot bed of competition, demonstrating the passion and drive of our retailers in raising store standards, and collectively developing the XL brand. This initiative not only rewards success but unites all retailers to achieve a common set of objectives and I would like to congratulate Dunleavey’s XL on their success for a third year running and Roarty’s XL on their outstanding achievement.”
Retailers who achieve a Store of the Year Award must comply with a strict set of criteria which also involves stores being rigorously assessed by mystery shoppers. Now in its fourth year, the Awards scheme attracted a record 165 store entrants from across the country – up 10% on last year.
“Last year marked a momentous occasion for the XL brand as we grew to over 200 stores and it is great to see so many retailers taking part in this initiative which serves to strengthen and grow the brand further,” said Moane.
Operated by independent retailers, there are 208 XL neighbourhood stores in 26 counties across Ireland, providing employment to approximately 2,200 people locally.
