Budgens has surpassed itself yet again in this year’s Checkout Convenience Awards and has received the hat trick in the ‘best fresh and chilled’ category.  Judges crowned Budgens with its third consecutive win, declaring that we are ‘still setting the pace for this award’.

Impressed
Judges were impressed by the growth of the fresh and chilled category’s share of total sales, up from 37% in 2001 to 45% in 2007.  “Budgens has really defined the role of fresh food in convenience retailing and has shown how you can compete with the big multiples through your fresh and chilled offering,” enthused one judge.  Its organic sales, which make up 4% of all fresh produce sales, were highlighted as “on a par with the big multiples”.

Budgens’ engagement with local producers also drew praise from judges, particularly the encouragement for retailers to source the 5% of produce not supplied by Budgens from local producers.  “It’s difficult to beat Budgens on local sourcing, its strategy is very clear and comprehensive,” said one judge.

Initiative
Another judge commended Budgens for its ‘central billing’ initiative which was launched in February this year.  This information manual offers retailers direct access to local food and drink suppliers which will deliver direct to store and retailers are billed centrally by Musgrave.  “This has really taken the hassle out of sourcing local producers,” said the judge.  Budgens’ focus on ‘season’s heroes’ was also praised.  “Budgens’ support of retailers is excellent and the seasonal calendars provide a fantastic visual aid,” said the judges.  Budgens aims to increase share of premium range products to “45% of the sales mix” and the judges praised amibitious future goals.

“Budgens’ development plans are strong,” said judges.  “You can see how competitive it is and this really gives it the edge.”