County Derry retailer bags prestigious national awards in London

The Lynch family who run three EUROSPAR supermarkets in Derry have brought home a host of prestigious awards from a national ceremony.

The Retail Industry Awards took place in London recently, and Lynch’s continued their legacy of success at the gala awards by winning Independent Tobacco Retailer of the Year for their Skeoge EUROSPAR, and Independent Chilled Retailer of the Year for their Greysteel EUROSPAR.

The team also scooped the highly commended accolades for Independent Retailer of the Year (Skeoge) and Hannah McDowell from the Greysteel store was highly commended in the Rising Star Award.

Speaking of their winning accolades, judges said; “Amazing year-on-year increase while price-matching the multiples. Chilled certainly stands out here. Local sourcing, good hygiene controls, outstanding meal solutions and an amazing ready-to-cook section. Great promotions, fab store.”

With another commenting; “Lynch’s EUROSPAR Skeoge has its finger on the pulse of the tobacco category thanks to its personal approach. It’s encouraging to hear how they’ve learnt through both trial and error, and by building a strong working relationship with tobacco suppliers which has a mutual benefit.”

The team from Lynch’s EUROSPAR Skeoge are pictured with Independent Retail News editor, David Shrimpton (left) and Awards host Paul Sinah (right) to collect the award for Independent Tobacco Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards 2023.

Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director at Henderson Group added; “Once again, our independent retailers have shown how much our region excels. In the past year, we have worked with our independent stores to adapt even more to their shoppers’ needs, celebrated countless long-term partnerships and invested alongside them to create community hubs which service their communities and bring value on their doorsteps when they need it most.

“Lynch’s have proven time and again they are one of the top players in the UK, bringing home two major accolades against tough national competition.

"Hannah McDowell has also shown she is one to watch with her highly commended nod for the Rising Star Award, which she so very narrowly missed out on. Congratulations to all the teams at Lynch’s Skeoge and Greysteel EUROSPAR stores.”

The Lynch’s teams were part of a cohort of SPAR and EUROSPAR retailers from Northern Ireland who brought home a total of 11 awards from the ceremony, plus a further eight highly commended accolades.

The Retail Industry Award winners were selected by a panel of esteemed and experienced names in the industry. The Awards, now in their 27th year are a celebration of all that is great about the UK grocery retail sector. The 2023 winners were revealed at a gala ball ceremony at the Brewery in London on 19 September 2023. A full list of winners can be found here.