“Emerging stronger” was the theme for this year’s annual Budgens conference, with emphasis on the essence of the Budgens brand, which it describes as “real food for today’s communities”.
The retailer said it had made substantial progress over the last two years by building a strong team, creating common purchasing on Budgens own brand and laying the foundations of new finance and warehouse operating systems. Budgens said this platform has put it in a better position to take on the challenges of a tough environment and changing consumer habits.
The conference programme included a supplier showcase, interactive workshops, presentations and interviews, as well as the Store of the Year awards 2009 and the gala dinner.
The winners were Kanna Mahunda of Budgens Stoneleigh, who scooped the Budgens Essentials Store of the Year title; Paul Wilks of Budgens Bedgrove, who won Budgens Neighbourhood Store of the Year; Guy Warner of Budgens Moreton in Marsh, who landed the Budgens Supermarket Store of the Year award; and the overall title of Budgens Store of the Year went to Bupa, Lata and Jay Gohil, Budgens Cosford.
Phil Smith, managing director of Budgens, said: “The development of the Budgens brand is vital. Consumers are shopping more often, they are shopping locally and we therefore need to focus on ensuring that the Budgens brand is distinctive and relevant for its customers and bring ‘real food for today’s communities’ to life. We have to deliver that with a clarity that doesn’t just delight our customers but that also allows us to build strong and profitable businesses effectively and efficiently.”
