Second annual SPAR Scotland Awards launch

Following the success of last year’s inaugural SPAR Scotland Awards, the event is taking place again at the annual SPAR Scotland tradeshow on 28 September 2023 in Aviemore.

Launching in the coming weeks a new category – Supplier of the Year - has been added to this year’s list. This award category is open to all CJ Lang & Son’s suppliers and will be judged by their Trading team along with Executive Team Members. The winner will be announced along with the other four finalists on the night.

The five award categories are:

• Independent community retailer of the year – sponsored by Budweiser Brewing Group

• Company owned community store of the year – sponsored by Graham’s the Family Dairy

• Independent retailer of the year – sponsored by AG Barr

• Company owned store of the year – sponsored by Hovis

• Supplier of the year – sponsored by Tomra

The SPAR stores entering the awards will be judged on an agreed criteria including internal and external store appearance, activity in the community, staff engagement, in store theatre, and store standards, across the months of May, June and July. A shortlist of stores will be drawn up for sponsors, SPAR Scotland CEO Colin McLean and associated Directors to visit in August, before a winner is announced during the celebration evening of the annual tradeshow event taking place on 28 September at the Macdonald Hotel & Resort in Aviemore.

Colin McLean, CJ Lang & Son Ltd CEO, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome back so many sponsors to the Awards and tradeshow. After a hugely successful event last year the bar has been set incredibly high, but we have a few surprises up our sleeves to make this year’s event go with an even bigger bang. These Awards will recognise some of the best SPAR stores and suppliers we have across Scotland.”

This year the CJ Lang & Son tradeshow and business conference will take place in a huge arc-marquee in the grounds of the Macdonald Hotel & Resort, followed by a sit-down dinner, awards ceremony and a fun-filled evening of entertainment.

Registrations are still open for all suppliers wishing to attend the event which is on a strictly first come, first served basis. Registrations close on the 8th of May with the event now over 50% subscribed. More information on the event is available from [email protected]