Bestway Retail Development Awards winners unveiled

Fairways of Wallasey, Merseyside has been crowned National Bestway Retailer of the Year.

The winners of Bestway Wholesale’s Retail Development Awards (RDA’s) 2022 were revealed at a ceremony at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square in London.

As part of Bestway’s Retail Development Programme, the Retail Development Awards celebrate outstanding achievements and business successes from Bestway Retail and independent retailers up and down the country.

The event saw a 400-strong audience of independent retailers including members of the Bestway Retail symbol group members - Best-one, Bargain Booze and Costcutter, and Bestway Wholesale’s Xtra Local Retail Club as well as key supply partners.

The annual Retail Development programme gives independent retailers the opportunity to attend a series of seminars and workshops offering advice and guidance on how to drive growth and best meet their customers’ needs. This is supported by a trade show where retailers can meet suppliers, learn about new products and services and industry trends, and in the words of the RDA – ‘Connect, Learn and Grow’. Retailers are then evaluated after six months to see how they have implemented the learnings in their store to help grow category sales and grow their business before they have the chance to enter the Awards and potentially win a share of a total prize fund worth over £50,000.

Managing director of Bestway Wholesale, Dawood Pervez, praised the winners: “For us here at Bestway, this is one of the most exciting events in the industry calendar. I am always humbled by the sheer talent, commitment and determination of our retailers and nowhere is this evidenced more strongly than within our Retail Development Awards.

“The Retail Development Programme does what it says on the tin. It’s there to help our retailers develop and make more possible within their businesses and with our supplier partners the programme also offers a unique opportunity for retailers and suppliers to get together.

“It’s all about sharing, learning and growing, and whilst our industry is undoubtedly facing unique challenges, let’s not forget we are also facing immense opportunity.

“Tonight’s results are on the back of hard work, dedication and unwavering vision on the part of each retailer.

The category awards were presented by Kenton Burchell, group trading director at Bestway Wholesale, the Community Award was presented by Mike Hollis, retail director at Bestway Retail, alongside Kim Reddick, commercial director at Independent Retail News who sponsored the awards. Hollis also presented the Regional and National Awards.

Dawood Pervez also presented the winner of the National Bestway Retailer of the Year, who received the cheque for £10,000, alongside a trophy and a certificate.