Winners!
Forage is Crowned Welsh Farm Shop of the Year Once Again
Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen has been crowned Best Retailer Wales at the 2024 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards.
Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan has beaten their competition to be named Best Retailer Wales at the 2024 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards, in partnership with The Grocer and championed by Fieldfare.
Following a comprehensive judging process, Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen scooped their award at the finals ceremony on Monday 29th April at the annual Farm Shop & Deli Show, NEC Birmingham. The Awards saw 11 category winners, seven regional winners, Newcomer of the Year and Retailer of the Year revealed to an audience comprising fellow finalists as well as show visitors and exhibitors, all there to cheer on the proceedings.
Judges comments:
“Clearly doing so much right and growing by 32% in extremely difficult conditions. Impressive investment behind the scenes in IT and processes, allowing them to focus on the very best customer offer. Incredible sourcing focusing on provenance and regionality. Tempting customers with tastings and promotions to add to the experience.”
“Nice team photo, good apprenticeship scheme and sustainable ethos.”
“Beautiful architecture. Great local initiatives to support the community. Wonderful testimony from the team.”
Across some categories this year, contention for the award was so close that judges decided to award Highly Commended to some of our finalists. Take a look at the list of winners and Highly Commended at the end of the release.
More About the Judging Process
A team of leading experts judged the entries online before coming together last November to deliberate and shortlist the contenders. During January and February secret visits took place before the winners, and overall Retailer of the Year, were decided.
The coveted accolades celebrate the best specialist independent retailers with judges recognising retailers’ achievements in the independent sector.
Nigel Barden, Chairman of Judges and Food and Drink Journalist and Broadcaster, says: “With food and drink retailers being busy people I’m always delighted they find time to enter the Farm Shop & Deli Awards and it’s gratifying to know that the awards are held in such high esteem. The quality of our judges certainly helps, particularly as a good number of them are former Retailers of the Year, so right at the top of their game and also because much time is spent visiting our shortlisted entrants. I’m delighted we’ve awarded category and regional winners. All in all another year of fabulous entries, reflecting how vibrant the artisan food and drink retail sector is.”
To find out more about Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards, visit https://www.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/awards.
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