Co Kilkenny Centra Wins 'Centra of The Year'

Deegan’s Centra in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny, has scooped the ‘Centra Store of the Year’ award for 2018. The store received the accolade at the Centra National Conference, which took place at the Malton Hotel, Killarney.

The store was selected from Centra’s 450 Ireland stores, which employ over 11,000 people and serve around three million customers a week, according to the retailer.

For the competition, the retail consultant Dr Alan Collins audited Centra stores throughout the country, with each participating store assessed for its range, quality, customer service, hygiene, service offering and local community involvement, according to the retail group.

Store owners Joe and Diane Deegan were presented with the award by Martin Kelleher, managing director of Centra, Ian Allen, Centra sales director and JF Michel, account director of Three Business, competition sponsors.

Enthusiastic Staff

Receiving the award, store Joe Deegan paid tribute to the team at his store and acknowledged that their enthusiasm and dedication were determining factors in Deegan’s Centra being selected for the award:

“I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all of our dedicated, hard-working staff members at Deegan’s. They are a super team of professionals who constantly strive to deliver the very best service, healthy convenience offering and value for money to our customers. This award is recognition of the great effort that they give every day.

“There’s something about Deegan’s that makes it feel ‘perfect,’” commented competition judge Dr Alan Collins. “It has a unique shopping experience and it all comes together at the front of the store, where you are greeted by an abundance of top quality fresh food. This is the kind of store everyone wants in their community and I would like to congratulate you and your colleagues on all that you have achieved.”

Centra said it invests more than €240 million in local communities per annum, which is equivalent to €4.5 million per week through a combination of payments to local suppliers, acquisition of local business services, wages, charitable donations and local sponsorships.