Grimsby-based Dee Bee secured a double-win at the Today’s Group Annual Awards dinner, which was held on 7th April at Stoneleigh Park, ahead of the group’s annual Stoneleigh exhibition.
Dee Bee won IT Initiative of the Year for its Re-Scan Electronic Point of Sale solution, which has also been adopted by Today’s members JW Filshill and Savage & Whitten and; the Retail Development Programme award for Symbol stores.
Judges praised Dee Bee for “raising the bar” in terms of the calibre of its symbol group retailers and the support offered to them. Managing director of Today’s Group Bill Laird said: “The addition of two company-owned stores as flag-ships demonstrates the high standards Dee Bee expects and receives from its estate.
Glasgow-based M9 Cash & Carry carried away the award for Retail Development programme, for Today’s Retail Club and was commended for developing a network of 72 retail club members in less than twelve months.
Isle-of-Man-based Agrimark cash & carry, a founding member of Today’s, was named Member of the Year and praised by judges for its continued development, which this year will include a £500K investment into depot refurbishment and the upgrade of its multi-temperature delivery fleet.
Bill Laird congratulated all Today’s Group winners and those who were highly commended: “I am proud of all our members’ achievements – they have shown and continue to demonstrate their resilience in extremely difficult trading conditions and their commitment to invest in their businesses for the long-term.”
The event was attended by key suppliers, wholesaler members and Today’s Group executives, with professional-explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes attending the evening as awards host and key note speaker.
The complete list of winners and highly commended wholesalers is as follows:
Member of the year:
Winner: Agrimark
Outstanding Contribution to UK Wholesale:
Winner: Wanis
Foodservice Wholesaler of the year:
Winner: Total Foodservice
Highly commended: Holdsworth
Symbol Group Retailer of the year:
Fran and Earnie Percy, Today’s Pearcy’s in Broughton
Retail Development Programme, Symbol:
Winner: Dee Bee Cash and Carry
Highly commended: H T Drinks
Retail Development Programme, TRC
Winner: M9 Cash and Carry
IT Initiative of the year:
Winner: Dee Bee
Highly commended: JW Filshill
Rising Star:
Winner: SERT-MST
Highly commended: Special Offer Wholesale
Highly commended: Holland Bazaar
Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative:
Winner: Alfa Wholesale
Special Recognition Award:
Winner: George Kirkpatrick, Wilsons Orkney
