Drinks Retailing Awards 2015 winners revealed
The UK's leading retailers were honoured at a glitzy award ceremony at London’s Dorchester Hotel tonight.
Waitrose scooped five gongs included Best Supermarket at the 2015 Drinks Retailing Awards, while Tesco was named Multiple Beer Retailer of the Year.
For the first time ever Aldi was named Multiple Wine Retailer of the Year, after impressing judges by turning the wine trade on its head and stealing market share from the traditional big four supermarkets.
Judges called the German discounter a "game changer" and praised it for going against the grain and implementing a small but focused range that offered shoppers excellent value for money.
Competition was fierce as the awards received a record number of entries, but a rigorous judging process eventually named 21 overall winners.
Outstanding stores such as Hedonism and Selfridges in London were honoured, alongside a host of smaller retailers from across the UK and national chains like Bargain Booze.
Oz Clarke, the UK’s most recognisable wine critic, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating a diverse career as a TV presenter, columnist and author.
Rosie Davenport, editor at Off Licence News magazine, which runs the awards, said: “The Drinks Retailing Awards are considered to be the most prestigious accolades given out to the industry and the rigorous judging process means that picking up a gong gets harder every year.
“The awards recognise the businesses both big and small making the largest contribution to the UK's vibrant drinks trade.
“Once again we have singled out the best of the best and honoured their achievements at a glittering, must-attend ceremony.”
Here is a full list of winners:
|
Innovation of the Year |
Naked Wine |
|
Newcomer of the Year |
Vino Vero |
|
Drinks Wholesaler of the Year |
Booker |
|
Convenience Drinks Store of the Year |
Dike & Son |
|
Independent Cider Retailer of the Year |
Bristol Cider Shop |
|
Multiple Cider Retailer of the Year |
Waitrose |
|
Green/Ethical Retailer of the Year |
The Co-Operative |
|
Independent Beer Retailer of the Year |
Real Ale |
|
Multiple Beer Retailer of the Year |
Tesco |
|
Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year |
The Whisky Exchange |
|
Multiple Spirits Retailer of the Year |
Waitrose |
|
Independent Champagne Retailer of the Year |
The Wine Reserve |
|
Multiple Champagne Retailer of the Year |
Waitrose |
|
Independent Wine Retailer of the Year |
Hedonism Wines |
|
Multiple Wine Retailer of the Year |
Aldi |
|
Drinks Buying Team of the Year |
Conviviality Retail |
|
Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year |
Selfridges & Co |
|
Online Retailer of the Year |
Waitrose |
|
Small Chain of the Year |
Corks Out |
|
Multiple Specialist Retailer of the Year |
Bargain Booze |
|
Supermarket of the Year |
Waitrose |
|
Lifetime Achievement |
Oz Clarke |
