AACS recently held the AACS Gala and Awards dinner at the Sydney’s Town Hall. The event was graced by top Australian retailers and suppliers.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said the Summit and Gala Awards have taken on increased significance this year, as some of the major issues impacting the convenience industry – from petrol theft to illicit tobacco and packaged alcohol – have emerged in a broader public sense.
“In the future, when we look back on 2017 with the benefit of hindsight, it could well prove to be a bellwether year for the convenience industry in Australia,” Rogut said.
The Retailer of the Year was given to AA Petroleum; the Supplier of the Year award went to Pacific Optics; Karen Alarcon of BP and Joseph Addamo of Philip Morris picked up the coveted AACS Peter Jowett Convenience Industry Awards for retailers and suppliers and Alyssa Milton of 7-Eleven was named the AACS Women in Convenience Woman of the Year.
“We’ve seen the Red Tape Committee recommend packaged alcohol be able to be sold through our channel, we’ve seen a major political party announce its intention to criminalise petrol theft, and politicians and the pubic alike are waking up to the enormity of the illicit tobacco market in Australia,” said Rogut.
“These issues are not new to those of us in the industry, but the fact they are growing in importance in the public consciousness demonstrates that the voice of small business can still be heard.”
The winners of the AACS Peter Jowett Convenience Awards honoured the up and coming talent in convenience. The awardees will be embarking on an overseas study tour in October’s to Orlando and to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show in Chicago.
“The AACS Convenience Industry Leadership Summit reinforced the importance for us to maintain our focus on innovation, of advocating for a more level playing field in retail, and working more collaboratively in a supplier-retailer sense. And our Gala Awards enabled us to acknowledge the important contributions and achievements of our industry’s leading lights, and have some fun in the process,” he said.
AACS Awards – all winners by category
Retailer of the Year
Finalists:
AA Petroleum
BP
7-Eleven
Winner: AA Petroleum
Supplier of the Year
Finalists:
Pacific Optics
The Distributors
Coca Cola
Winner: Pacific Optics
Beverage & Dairy Supplier of the Year
Finalists:
Schweppes
Coca Cola
Parmalat
Winner: Coca Cola
Snacking Supplier of the Year
Finalists:
PepsiCo
Peters Ice Cream
Unilever Streets
Winner: PepsiCo
Confectionery Supplier of the Year
Finalists:
Nestle
Mars
Mondelez
Winner: Mondelez
Food on the Go Supplier of the Year
Finalists:
Mrs Macs
PFD
Patties
Winner: Mrs Macs
Tobacco Supplier of the Year
Finalists:
Imperial Tobacco
Philip Morris
Richland Express
Winner: Philip Morris
Service Provider of the Year
Finalists:
IRI
ShopperTracker
Advantage
Winner: IRI
Grocery & General Merchandise
Finalists:
Pacific Optics
Repco
Winner: Pacific Optics
Distributor of the Year
Finalists:
Metcash
The Distributors
Winner: The Distributors
Telecommunications Provider of the Year
Finalists:
Optus
Vodafone
Winner: Optus
Company Operated Store
Finalists:
BP Ringwood
Caltex Foodary Concord
BP Marsden Park
Winner: BP Ringwood
Franchised/Independent Store
Finalists:
7-Eleven Harristown
BP Smeaton Grange
Westoil Petroleum Bundanoon
Winner: BP Smeaton Grange
AACS Women in Convenience Awards
Woman of the Year: Alyssa Milton (7-Eleven)
Store Operator of the Year: Joanne Hodgson (7-Eleven)
Rising Star of the Year: Sara Cockman (Morris Corp)
AACS Peter Jowett Convenience Industry Award 2017
Retail winner Karen Alarcorn (BP)
Supplier winner Joseph Addamo (Philip Morris)
