P R E S S   R E L E A S E

3rd February 2010

Leading retailers and suppliers packed into London’s Dorchester Hotel for Off Licence News prestigious Drinks Retailing Awards last night.

More than 300 guests were in attendance to acclaim the winners in 17 categories, including the Lifetime Achievement Award which went to former Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ chief Alan Toft, the architect of the Blueprint drinks merchandising scheme.

Majestic. Waitrose, Tesco, Booths and Sainsbury’s all won awards in the multiple retailer categories, while triumphant independents included Berry Bros & Rudd, Dolans Liquid World, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Corks Out, The Whisky Exchange, Barrica Wines and The Real Ale Corner.

Booker was named wholesaler of the year.

OLN editor Rosie Davenport said: “This year’s awards recognise the businesses that can continue to shine in our industry through hard work and flair, despite difficult economic times. When it comes to buying beer, wine or spirits, UK consumers have more choice than anywhere else in the world, backed by fantastic customer service. The retailers recognised at our prestigious awards are at the forefront of this dynamic industry.

The Drinks Retailing Award Winners 2010

Innovation of the Year: Majestic

Online/Direct Mail Retailer of the Year: Berry Bros & Rudd

Drinks Wholesaler of the Year: Booker

Drinks Buying Team of the Year: Waitrose

Convenience Store of the Year: Dolans Centra & Dolans Liquid World

Neighbourhood Off-licence of the Year: Corks Out

Cider Retailer of the Year: Tesco

Independent Beer Retailer of the Year: The Real Ale Corner

Multiple Beer Retailer of the Year: Booths

Independent Spirits Retailer of the Year: The Whisky Exchange

Multiple Spirits Retailer of the Year: Sainsbury's

Independent Wine Retailer of the Year: Barrica Wines

Multiple Wine Retailer of the Year: Waitrose

Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year: Cambridge Wine Merchants

Supermarket of the Year: Waitrose

High Street Chain of the Year: Majestic

Lifetime Achievement Award: Alan Toft

For more details on the awards please visit: www.drinksretailingawards.co.uk

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The Drinks Retailing Awards were launched nine years ago as the off trades unique awards rewarding retailing excellence across the take-home market

Our judging remains extremely rigorous and with several stages, In the case of our independent categories, we not only conduct two rounds of paper judging, we also visit stores to meet the retailers ourselves and understand what makes the businesses tick. And to see first hand what sets them apart.

To help us arrive at winners among the multiple chains we have harnessed the experience of the DRA Academy, a group of over 30 of the industry’s leading experts to examine how retailers have evolved in the last year.

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Issued on behalf of:                                       Off Licence News

Further information on the Awards: Stephanie Smallwood (stephanie.smallwood@william-reed.co.uk)