ASHCROFT’S SUPA IGA Summer Centre took out the national award for service department of the year at the annual Independent Grocers of Australia (IGA) retailer of the year awards held on the Gold Coast last month.
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The awards, hosted by actor and comedian Shane Jacobson, recognised the efforts of staff at the store.
The store was nominated for the national award after winning awards for service, bakery, deli and produce departments and Michael Lockyer was awarded a store manager achievement award.
The national awards were judged on a range of criteria including customer service, community pride, living the IGA brand values, sales, profits, merchandising and the store’s overall performance.
Owners Ian and Rochelle Ashcroft said they had a unique personal approach to service including stocking products shoppers specifically request.
“We take great pride in our store and the high level of personal service that we offer to our shoppers so it’s fantastic to be recognised on a national level for the whole team’s hard work,” Mr Ashcroft said.
According to IGA national council chairman Ben Ryan the national retailer of the year awards acknowledge the hard work and commitment demonstrated all year.
“Ian, Rochelle and their experienced team have done an incredible job and this award is testament to their excellence on so many levels. In recognising individuals like the Ashcrofts, we acknowledge the true essence of independent retailing and what it really means to be an IGA retailer,” he said.
Program is on the money
A TWO-YEAR national money management and investment education program for regional women was launched in Orange on Thursday.
The better money management program offers regional women expert financial education free of charge and without them having to travel huge distances. The initiative is run by the not-for-profit financial 10thousandgirl, with government and corporate financial support.
Thursday’s free workshop was the first of a roadshow of 16 regional workshops.
A panel of experts who addressed the group included: Hesta regional NSW member education manager Danielle Ludowyke, MDM Financial Services Cowra’s Monica Maguire, senior associate of Campbell Paton & Taylor Solicitors, Orange Deirdre May, accountant from Grenfell and Cowra Dani Millynn, Rabobank Orange branch manager Paul Morrison and Enrich SMSF Orange’s Joanne Stephens.
In the good books
COLLINS Booksellers Orange was one of the 70 lucky book shops to receive a grant from the James Patterson gets kids reading grant.
Owners Margaret and Phillip Schwebel plan to put their share of the $100,000 grant towards an initiative to encourage kids to read.
“James Patterson is the world’s biggest selling author with an astonishing output of books,” Mr Schwebel said.
“So it is great that he is willing to share some if his fortune to promote kids to read by donating $100,000 to independent Australian and New Zealand booksellers.
“We will be using our $2200 to target teenage readers in particular.”
Mr Schwebel said children’s books have always been a feature in their shop.
“Margaret, being a trained teacher, is continually reading children’s books,” he said.
Mr Patterson pledged the money to booksellers across Australia and New Zealand when he visited Australia in May.
“I have been delighted by how many people have applied for the grants and the calibre of the applications,” Mr Patterson said.
“We have worked to identify bookshops for whom this money may make a real difference and for whom getting children reading is a real passion.”
Pilates move
AILEEN Francis will launch her new pilates and movement therapy studio, Energizers, in McNamara Street next door to St Vincent de Paul, on August 8.
