Cosgrove’s Centra Named the Best Centra in Ireland for 2019

Cosgrove’s Centra in Maugheraboy Named the Best Centra in Ireland for 2019

Cosgrove’s in Maugheraboy, Co Sligo has been named the best Centra in Ireland, scooping the Centra Store of the Year award for 2019. The store received the much-coveted accolade at the Centra National Conference, which took place at the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney. Cosgrove’s also won the Neighbourhood Centra Store of the year at the event.

Des and Martha Cosgrove from the Maugheraboy store received the awards from Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of Centra, Dan Curtin, Centra Sales Director and JF Michel, Account Director of Three Business, competition sponsors.

As part of the competitive process, retail consultant Dr Alan Collins audited Centra stores throughout Ireland, with each participating store assessed for its range, quality, customer service, hygiene, service offering and local community involvement.

Receiving the awards, store owners Des and Martha Cosgrove paid tribute to the team at Cosgrove’s and acknowledged that their enthusiasm and dedication were determining factors in the Sligo store being selected as 2019 Centra Store of the Year and Neighbourhood Centra Store of the Year.

 “It is a great honour to accept these awards on behalf of all our hard-working and dedicated staff members at Cosgrove’s. Their effort does not go unnoticed by us, so it is also great to see recognition by others for the hard work they put in every day. They are a super team of professionals who constantly strive for the best service, healthy convenience offering and value of money to our customers,” said Des Cosgrove.

Commenting on the double award winners, competition judge Dr Alan Collins said: “You can sense passion as soon as you step foot in the door at Cosgrove’s. There’s something about the store that makes it so special. Perhaps it is how it is always a delight to engage with owners who are passionate about their stores, colleagues, customers and communities, which is in abundance at Cosgrove’s. The unique shopping experience starts when you step foot in the door as you are greeted by the best quality fresh food. It is the type of store everybody should have and want in their communities.Congratulations to all involved at Cosgrove’s on this great achievement”.

Dan Curtin, Sales Director of Centra, commended all Centra retailers for their contribution to redefining convenience shopping. “Centra stores, such as Cosgrove’s at Maugheraboy, are perfect examples of independent retailers working hard in their local communities to succeed in a very competitive market, by meeting the needs of their customers. They provide choice, value and excellent service within their locality on a daily basis. Congratulations to the team at Cosgrove’s Centra, who have gone above and beyond to maintain the highest standards across the store.”

With over 462 stores, Centra employs almost 11,000 people and serves over three million customers per week. Centra invests more than €240 million in local communities per annum, which is the equivalent of €4.5 million per week through a combination of payments to local suppliers, acquisition of local business services, wages, charitable donations and local sponsorships.

The Winners of the Centra Store of the Year Awards are:

• Centra Store of the Year – Cosgrove’s Centra, Maugheraboy, Co Sligo
• High Convenience Store of the Year –Mangan’s Centra, Edenderry, Co. Offaly
• Convenience Store of the Year –Cross’ Centra, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare
• Neighbourhood Store of the Year –Cosgrove’s Centra, Maugheraboy, Co Sligo