IN PICTURES: Four Laois convenience shops winners of top Gala retail awards

Four Laois convenience stores have been chosen for national excellence awards this week by their retail group.

Gala Retail convenience stores in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Ballylinan have won the Gala Award for excellence in retail at the 2023 Gala Annual Conference. More below photos.

Maeve & Kevin Bracken, Bracken's Gala, Portlaoise with Siobhan Grimes, Retail Operation Manager at Gala Retail.

Presented to stores that are deemed ‘outstanding’ following a comprehensive and independent assessment process, the Gala Excellence Awards recognise quality in retailing throughout the Gala Group.

The Laois stores that received the Gala Excellence Awards at the event were Dempsey's Gala, Portarlington; Bracken's Gala, Portlaoise; King's Gala, Ballylinan and Dowling's Gala, Killenard, Portarlington who were also awarded with the ‘2023 Marketing Initiative Award’ at the evening reception. 

Speaking at the morning awards, CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond, congratulated the winning stores for their continuous dedication and excellence in retailing: “The Gala Excellence awards recognise excellence in retailing across the entire Gala Group and we offer our congratulations to all of the Laois stores who have been recognised as outstanding in the field of convenience retailing, especially in the Gala Group’s 25th year in business.

“These stores provide a fantastic service to their customers, day in, day out and we wish them, and all stores across the wider group, a successful year ahead and look forward to celebrating their future successes.’’

The conference took place at The Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry. It marked a celebration of 25 years in business for the Gala Retail Group, marking the achievements of the Group and its retailers.

The Gala Excellence awards kicked off the 2023 Gala conference which brought together Gala retailers, wholesalers and suppliers for a celebration of the Gala Group’s performance and an overview of plans for the future, as well as an action packed few days of activities including the supplier trade fair.

The group was also joined for the day by elite level football coach/manager, Lisa Fallon and Irish Broadcaster, Ivan Yates. An evening awards ceremony followed and was MC’d by television presenter Lucy Kennedy with Irish Comedian, Mario Rosenstock providing entertainment.

Reflecting on the year, Mr. Desmond spoke about the success of the Gala Group’s marketing activities and partnerships, including its award-winning partnership with Special Olympics Ireland, now in its eight year, and Ireland’s popular children’s summer camp, Starcamp.