Bestway presents retailer awards

Independent retailers across England, Wales and Scotland won a total of nearly £70,000 and 17 prizes at this year's Bestway Retailer Development Awards.

The independent retailers were judged on a series of store improvements set against the range of goods stocked, the POS material used, sales increases, pricing policy, store layout and space in the store, equipment used and the success of new lines. Another key criterion is if the store is well managed and has a professional look.

This year the title of National Retailer of the Year went to Kashif Afzal and Zaffer and Wajid Hussain of Safebuy's Store in Birmingham. They took the top prize of £10,000 and the Bestway Trophy and certificate.

Bestway managing director Younus Sheikh said: "I am very pleased to say that standards continue to improve across most of the independent sector."