Judges announced for 2010 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award

Insight and NACS are delighted to announce the judges for the 2010 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by Imperial Tobacco and Airplay.

They are:

• Joe Bona, president, retail division, CBX
• Simon Chinn, retail analyst, Verdict Research
• Peter Kealy, former managing director, Spar, BWG Group
• Sheryle Moon, executive director, Australasian Association of Convenience Stores
• Don Longo, editor-in-chief, Convenience Store News & Single Store Owner
• Jon Arnold, consultant and interim manager, Retail Focus, and former head of convenience trading, Sainsbury's
• Dan Munford, partner, Insight Research
• Ramon Kuijpers, international key accounts manager, Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH, an Imperial Tobacco Group company

Fiona Briggs, editor, Global Convenience Store Focus and Erin Pressley, editor NACS Magazine, will co-chair the judging panel.

The 2010 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award was launched last month (January) and is now inviting entries from leading convenience and forecourt retailers around the world.

Retailers are required to submit documentation based on a number of key criteria and supply photographic and/or video evidence (for further information visit Insight Award page). In the first stage of the judging process, the judges will review the entries to produce a shortlist of retailers. The shortlist will be featured on Global Convenience Store Focus and readers will be invited to vote for their favourite format online.

Announcing the new judging panel, Munford said: "We are delighted to recruit such an experienced and international panel of convenience expertise. Our judges have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the convenience sector and they represent some of the leading global convenience store markets. Their input will help to ensure the shortlisted entries in the 2010 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award will be truly world class."

Insight is delighted Imperial Tobacco and Airplay are sponsoring this prestigious award for the second year running.

Ramon Kuijpers, international key accounts manager, Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken GmbH, an Imperial Tobacco Group company, said:

"Being part of last year's International Convenience Retailer of the Year award was great and inspiring.

"By using various challenging benchmarking criteria, the judges truly 'raised the bar' for all entries and finalists. The online voting process - received a great response - and was successful in creating a high awareness.

"The level of professionalism, quality and consumer commitment, as displayed by all of the entries, was impressive. Accordingly, the Spar China video shows us all you need to know and raises the bar for entries in 2010. Imperial Tobacco is proud to support our key international retail partners.

"We recognise and value the efforts that are provided within a competitive environment. Therefore we are happy to continue our sponsorship and support regarding this award."

For further exclusive sponsorship opportunities contact Insight.

Dan Munford: high calibre judging panel