Retailers and staff were out in force for the Scottish Grocer Awards 2020 – and what a night they had. The best and brightest of Scottish convenience retail gathered at Hilton Glasgow for the gala event, hosted by Scottish comedy star Craig Hill.
The evening’s biggest prize was awarded to Franco Margiotta of Margiotta stores in Edinburgh. Margiotta, who emigrated to Scotland in 1957, has built up an estate of seven stores in the capital since purchasing his first shop on Warrender Park Road in 1989. Long a favourite of students and locals alike, Margiotta’s chain of stores continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Other winners on the night included Ayrshire retailer Ian Mitchell, who was named Entrepreneur of the Year. The award recognises retailers who have shown real entrepreneurial spirit and Mitchell was praised for his exceptional stores in Ayrshire. Mitchell operates three stores in Ayrshire: Premier Drongan; Premier Woodpark Stores, Ayr; and Premier Girvan.
A total of 20 awards were handed out at the ceremony, with winners hailing from across Scotland. Scottish Grocer trophies were secured from Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway to Drumnadrochit on the shore of Loch Ness. The full list of winners is available below.
Scottish Grocer editor Matthew Lynas said: “The Scottish Grocer Awards is a celebration of some of the finest convenience stores in the country. Each year we are blown away by the ingenuity and dedication of Scotland’s retailers and 2020 was no different. Despite challenging market conditions, Scotland’s independent convenience retailers have proven yet again that they are a valuable assets to their communities. This year, Scottish Grocer judges witnessed impressive support for local causes, innovative new sustainable business practices, and inspiring levels of care for elderly and vulnerable customers. It’s a humbling experience to be surrounded by such talented and committed individuals. Congratulations to all of our winners and highly commended finalists.”
| Category | Finalist | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Soft Drinks Outlet of the Year | Londis Solo Convenience | Baillieston | Highly Commended |
| Retail Express | Uddingston | Highly Commended | |
| Spar Renfrew | Renfrew | Winner | |
| Innovation Award | Family Shopper | Blantyre | Highly Commended |
| Scotmid Co-operative | Stockbridge | Highly Commended | |
| Nisa Pinkie Farm Convenience Store | Musselburgh | Winner | |
| Confectionery Retailer of the Year | Clydebank Co-operative Keystore | Dalmuir | Highly Commended |
| Scotmid Co-operative, Rimbleton | Glenrothes | Highly Commended | |
| Day-Today Express | Stenhousemuir | Winner | |
| Family Business of the Year | Cot House Services | Dunoon | Highly Commended |
| Spar Clyne Condorrat | Cumbernauld | Highly Commended | |
| Lochcarron Food Centre | Strathcarron | Winner | |
| Food to go Award | Brysons Londis | Prestwick | Highly Commended |
| Nisa Pinkie Farm Convenience Store | Musselburgh | Highly Commended | |
| Scotmid Co-operative, Thornhill | Elgin | Winner | |
| Licensed Retailer | Buckie Service Station | Buckie | Highly Commended |
| Clydebank Co-operative Keystore More | Hardgate | Highly Commended | |
| Doonfoot Day-Today | Ayr | Winner | |
| Post Office Retailer of the Year | Cairneyhill Spar Post Office | Fife | Highly Commended |
| Dalyrymple Spar & Post Office | Ayrshire | Highly Commended | |
| Merchant City Post Office | Glasgow | Winner | |
| Tobacco Retailer of the Year | Cults Keystore | Aberdeen | Highly Commended |
| Londis Solo Convenience | Baillieston | Highly Commended | |
| Shawlands News | Glasgow | Winner | |
| Vaping Retailer of the Year | Keystore Express Corseford | Johnstone | Highly Commended |
| Spar Havannah Street | Glasgow | Highly Commended | |
| Racetrack Autoport Services | Glasgow | Winner | |
| Merchandising Award | Premier Linktown Local | Kirkcaldy | Highly Commended |
| Scotmid Co-operative | Uddingston | Highly Commended | |
| Clydebank Co-operative Keystore More, Hardgate | Clydebank | Winner | |
| Sustainability Champion | Family Shopper | Blantyre | Highly Commended |
| Watson’s Grocers & Daughters | Moniaive | Highly Commended | |
| Premier @ The Union | Dundee | Winner | |
| Symbol Store of the Year (Multiple stores) | Premier Girvan, Drongan and Ayr | Ayrshire | Highly Commended |
| Day-Today Barassie & Doonfoot | Ayrshire | Winner | |
| Symbol Store of the Year (Single store) | Day-Today Prestonpans Village Store | Prestonpans | Highly Commended |
| Brysons Londis | Prestwick | Winner | |
| Innovation in Impulse | Scotmid Co-operative | Inverkeithing | Highly Commended |
| Spar Havannah Street | Glasgow | Highly Commended | |
| Premier @ The Union | Dundee | Winner | |
| Best New Store | Brysons Londis | Prestwick | Highly Commended |
| JG Ross, Highclere Food Store | Inverurie | Highly Commended | |
| Scotmid Co-operative | Drumnadrochit | Winner | |
| Community Retailer of the Year | Family Shopper | Blantyre | Highly Commended |
| Keystore Express Corseford | Johnstone | Highly Commended | |
| Watson’s Grocers and Daughters | Moniaive | Winner | |
| Employee of the Year | Glenda Reilly – Bourtreehill Supermarket, | Irvine | Highly Commended |
| Paul Stewart – Scotmid Co-operative | Strathaven | Highly Commended | |
| Angela Gibson – Spar Renfrew | Renfrew | Winner | |
| Independent Retailer of the Year | Day-Today Bourtreehill Supermarket | Irvine | Highly Commended |
| Premier Girvan | Girvan | Highly Commended | |
| Premier Linktown Local | Kirkcaldy | Winner | |
| Entrepreneur Award | Ian Mitchell – Premier Girvan/Ayr/Drongon | Ayrshire | Winner |
| Industry Achievement Award | Franco Margiotta | Edinburgh | Winner |
