CJ Lang adds supplier category to SPAR Scotland Awards

Following the success of last year’s inaugural SPAR Scotland Awards, the event will take place again this year – at the annual SPAR Scotland tradeshow on 28 September 2023 in Aviemore.

A new category – Supplier of the Year – has been added to this year’s list. This award is open to all of CJ Lang’s suppliers and will be judged by the wholesaler’s trading team along with executive team members.

The five award categories are: Independent Community Retailer of the Year, Company-Owned Community Store of the Year, Independent Retailer of the Year, Company-Owned Store of the Year, and Supplier of the Year.

The SPAR stores entering the awards will be judged on agreed criteria including internal and external store appearance, activity in the community, staff engagement, in-store theatre and store standards, across the months of May, June and July.

A shortlist of stores will be drawn up for the sponsors, SPAR Scotland CEO Colin McLean and associated directors to visit in August, before a winner is announced during the celebration evening of the annual tradeshow event taking place at the Macdonald Hotel & Resort in Aviemore.

McLean said: “We are extremely excited to welcome back so many sponsors to the awards and tradeshow. After a hugely successful event last year the bar has been set incredibly high, but we have a few surprises up our sleeves to make this year’s event go with an even bigger bang. These awards will recognise some of the best SPAR stores and suppliers we have across Scotland.”

This year the CJ Lang & Son tradeshow and business conference will take place in a huge arc-marquee in the grounds of the Macdonald Hotel & Resort, followed by a sit-down dinner, awards ceremony and an evening of entertainment.