Finland's K-Citymarket Järvenpää has won the prestigious 'Store of the Year' Award 2019 at the IGD Awards in London.
Other finalists shortlisted for the award, which was sponsored by ESM: European Supermarket Magazine, were Giant Heirloom in Philadelphia, USA; Sainsbury's in Selly Oak, UK; Sam's Club Now in Dallas, USA; Pão de Açúcar in São Paulo, Brazil; SuperValu in Clonakilty, Ireland; and Fooby in Lausanne, Switzerland.
According to Markku Hautala of K-Citymarket Järvenpää, the competition brought many foreign tourists to the town to experience one of the best grocery stores in the world.
'International Recognition'
Commenting on the recognition, Hautala, said, "For a store this small on an international scale, located in such a small town in such a small and remote country to be this successful among the best of the best in the world is incredible.
"We have spent a lot of time and resources in developing our store, and approach everything with a passion down to the smallest detail. We are thrilled to receive such international recognition and be named store of the year."
Every year, the organisation hosts the IGD Awards event in London to honour the best in the global food and consumer goods industry in various categories.
IGD's 'Store of the Year' Award is an international industry recognition, considered by many as the main awards category.
'Uncompromising Work'
Ari Sääksmäki, vice-president of the K-Citymarket chain, said, "Markku Hautala and his staff have done an amazing job developing the store. Their uncompromising work to serve their customers really shows and is bearing fruit.
"This passion for developing and [the] courage to try out new ideas are driving the entire grocery trade sector forward."
IGD is a UK-based grocery trade research and training organisation. Every year, it visits around 1,000 stores worldwide and compiles analysis reports.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
