Sainsbury’s has been named Supermarket of the Year at the 2009 Retail Industry Awards.
It picked up the trophy last night at a gala dinner held at London’s Hurlingham Club.
The agility shown by the retailer in adapting to the new economic climate was what made Sainsbury’s the overwhelming choice of this year’s judging panel.
“They have defied the commentators, increasingly,” said one judge. “Back in 2004 they were being written off, caught in the middle between Tesco and Waitrose. But they have shown growth ahead of the market for a very long time and enjoyed the biggest switching gains over the past two quarters.”
Another commented: “They’re getting value right, and getting their values right.
“They’ve moved very quickly to a very empathetic tone of voice. But you don’t feel you’re losing out on quality, just that what you are buying is better value.”
The panel praised Sainsbury’s extended ‘basics’ range and its campaigns such as “Switch and Save” and “Feed Your Family for a Fiver”.
Morrisons also had a good night, winning Off-licence Retailer of the Year, Forecourt Retailer of the Year (multiple) and Seafood Retailer of the Year, while Lucy Denton, from its Kidderminster branch, won multiple Store Manager of the Year.
Asda was named multiple Community Retailer of the Year, and Tesco won Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year.
The Co-operative Food scooped Fresh Flower Supermarket, as well as National Convenience Chain of the Year.
