With only five years of retail trade under its belt, IGA Norwood has proved it is a cut above the rest winning the 2014 State IGA Retailer of the Year Award at the 2014 Tasmanian Independent Retailers (TIR) Trade Expo and IGA Conference held on 12 – 13 June.

Tasmanian Independent Retailer CEO Grant Hinchcliffe said he was proud to present the award to Mark, Leanne and Daniel Colson and credited their ongoing drive to offer the local community greater access to quality Tasmanian produce.

“While the Norwood IGA still retails the regular products you would find in any other retailer, it has had an ongoing focus to offer Tasmanian produce, which has been well received and encouraged by its customer base and has cemented their place in the local community,” Mr Hinchcliffe said.

“Another significant award for the night was the Sam Richardson Perpetual Award, which was established in 2006 to recognise independent retailers who carry attributes in grocery retailing including longevity, community support and store development.

“This year’s Sam Richardson Perpetual Award recipients, David and Gundi Wilkes from IGA Everyday Beaconsfield, have successfully operated an IGA for many years, growing their business to become an institution in the area.

“Mr and Mrs Wilkes are passionate about their local community, the business and independent retailing, and are always the first to embrace and implement change for the better.”

Other award winners recognised on the night were, New Town (Hill Street Grocer), winning the IGA X-press Retailer of the Year Award and Supa IGA St Helens, which was awarded Supa IGA Retailer of the Year.

Mr Hinchcliffe said he was thrilled with this year’s attendance, which saw more than 225 state delegates attend the conference to engage with trade exhibitors and support one another.

IGA Everyday Retailer of the Year - IGA Everyday Norwood Mark, Leanne and Daniel Colson

IGA Everyday Retailer of the Year – IGA Everyday Norwood
Mark, Leanne and Daniel Colson

“Our 2014 conference theme, Waves of Changes/Oceans of Opportunity, was about embracing the continuing changes in politics, business and our personal lives and seizing the opportunities arising from those changes,” Mr Hinchcliffe said.

“Despite the many economic challenges we have all endured over the past few years, Tasmania boasts a strong independent retailer sector that has thrived and expanded through these challenging conditions and we were proud to recognise and celebrate these wins together.”