It scarcely seems possible but it’s time again to celebrate the best individuals, concepts and companies the eating and drinking-out market has to offer.
For the uninitiated, I am of course referring to the Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards.
This awards programme, in its 11th year, is organised by M&C Report in close consultation with senior executives and opinion formers from across the industry. It is designed to identify the outstanding performers in the licensed and foodservice retailing business.
Identifying the best in any business, let alone the stars of tomorrow, is a dangerous sport, strewn with the debris of tarnished reputations. Which is why we don’t even attempt to do it ourselves. There is no paper judging and there are no committees.
We leave it to those who really know - senior people from the industry itself. It is therefore a true reflection of the market innovators and leaders of today.
Having written to, and accepted nominations from, our
500-strong Retailers’ Academy in November and December, the shortlists for eight awards have been compiled and are available for your perusal:
Best Emerging Concept: Apostrophe, Itsu, Ortega, Piccolino, Ping Pong, and Zero Degrees.
Best Concept: Caffè Nero, Giraffe, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Las Iguanas, Project S, and YO! Sushi.
Revitalised Brand: All Bar One, Chiquito, JD Wetherspoon, Pizza Express, Pret A Manger, and Slug & Lettuce.
Best Company: Carluccio’s, La Tasca, Marston’s, Mitchells &
Butlers, Tragus Holdings, and Wagamama.
Best Venue: Bordeaux Quay, Bristol; Galvin at Windows, Park Lane, London; Gaucho Grill, Piccadilly, London; Restaurant Bar & Grill, Leeds; The Wolseley, London, and Zero Degrees, Bristol.
Deal of the Year: Paladin-backed Caffè Nero buyout; Phoenix-backed Gaucho Grill buyout; GI Partners acquisition of 290 Spirit sites; M&B purchase of 239 Whitbread sites; Punch Taverns deal for Spirit Group; Blackstone-backed buyout of Tragus Holdings.
Investor of the Year: Admiral Taverns, GI Partners, Greene King, Gresham Private Equity, PPM Capital, and R20.
Individual of the Year: Nick Basing, CEO, Paramount; Gerry Ford, CEO, Caffè Nero; Mark McQuater, CEO, Barracuda Group; Robin Rowland, CEO, YO! Sushi; Graham Turner, CEO, Tragus; and Steve Wilkins, ex-MD, Lewis & Clarke.
These are the concepts, companies and individuals who received the most nominations from our academy.
If you wish to vote please visit the Retailers’ website: www.rroty.co.uk. You must please tell us who you are. Unfortunately, if we don’t know who you are, we can’t accept your votes.
Alternatively, email your choices to me at mark.stretton@william-reed.co.uk or call me on 01293 846549 or 07974 303657.
The winners will be unveiled at a prestigious awards dinner at the Dorchester Hotel on London’s Park Lane on the evening of 8 March. If you are interested in attending this event please call me, or my colleague Nicola Chesson on 01293 867629.
Finally, a very big thank you to our partners in this awards programme. They are Beam Global Spirits & Wines, Brulines, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Hobart, KPMG, TSC Foods, Wells & Young’s Brewing Company and Zenith Hygiene Group.
Without these sponsors, this very special event would not be possible.
See you at the Dorchester.
