
Deegan’s Centra in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny has been named the best Centra in Ireland, scooping the Centra Store of the Year award for 2018. The store received the much-coveted accolade at the Centra National Conference, which took place at the Malton Hotel, Killarney.
Joe and Diane Deegan from Deegan’s Centra was presented with the award by Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of Centra, Ian Allen, Centra Sales Director and JF Michel, Account Director of Three Business, competition sponsors.
As part of the competitive process, retail consultant Dr Alan Collins audited Centra stores throughout Ireland, with each participating store assessed for its range, quality, customer service, hygiene, service offering and local community involvement.
Receiving the award, store owner Joe Deegan paid tribute to the team at Deegan’s and acknowledged that their enthusiasm and dedication were determining factors in Deegan’s Centra being selected as 2018 Centra Store of the Year.
“I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all of our dedicated, hard-working staff members at Deegan’s. They are a super team of professionals who constantly strive to deliver the very best service, healthy convenience offering and value for money to our customers. This award is recognition of the great effort that they give every day.
Commenting on the awards, competition judge Dr Alan Collins said: “It is always a delight to engage with owners who are passionate about their stores, colleagues, customers and communities – and you can sense this passion as soon as you set foot in the door at Deegan’s. There’s something about Deegan’s that makes it feel ‘perfect’. It has a unique shopping experience and it all comes together at the front of the store, where you are greeted by an abundance of top quality fresh food. This is the kind of store everyone wants in their community and I would like to congratulate you and your colleagues on all that you have achieved.”
Ian Allen, Sales Director of Centra, commended all Centra retailers for their contribution to redefining convenience shopping. “Centra stores, such as Deegan’s in Urlingford, are perfect examples of independent retailers working hard in their local communities to succeed in a very competitive market, by meeting the needs of their customers. They provide choice, value and excellent service within their locality on a daily basis. Congratulations to the team at Deegan’s Centra, who have gone above and beyond to maintain the highest standards across the store.”
With over 450 stores, Centra employs over 11,000 people and serves over three million customers per week. Centra invests more than €240 million in local communities per annum, which is the equivalent of €4.5 million per week through a combination of payments to local suppliers, acquisition of local business services, wages, charitable donations and local sponsorships.