IGA Awards of Excellence Winners 2024

The 2024 IGA Tasmania Awards of Excellence Dinner was held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart on 29th of February and attended by over 250 guests from IGA Tasmania, Tasmanian Independent Retailers (TIR), Island Fresh Produce and supplier partners.

The Awards recognise retail excellence across IGA stores and the individuals, teams and suppliers that makethese businesses such an important part of our local communities.

The MC of this year’s awards was popular Tasmanian actor John X, who put his extensive experience across stage and screen to good use, keeping the audience in fits of laughter as he introduced the award finalists and winners.

The coveted Store of the Year Award across small, medium and large format stores was awarded to Baxters IGA, Hill Street Grocer IGA Sandy Bay, and Bay of Fires IGA, respectively.

“The Awards of Excellence are an important part of our business. They allow us to reflect on everything we have achieved in the last twelve months and celebrate those teams and individuals who have made a significant contribution to our success,”
Drew Freeman,
Chief Executive Officer
Tasmanian Independent Retailers

IGA suppliers were also recognised with a range of awards, including the Supplier of the Year, which was presented to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.

The prestigious Sam Richardson Perpetual Award, established to recognise the highest commitment to the independent grocery sector, including community and customers, was awarded to Josi Cowen of IGA Xpress Seabreeze Nubeena.

Josi was recognised for her outstanding work operating and developing the Ouse IGA and the IGA Xpress Seabreeze Nubeena and for her commitment to the community, particularly during the 2013 Dunally Bush Fires.

She and her husband Graham kept the Nubeena store open in the most trying of circumstances to ensure the local community had access to essential grocery supplies.

IGA is passionate about supporting and developing the leaders of tomorrow and the Rising Star Award recognises team members who display outstanding potential and dedication to their store and the IGA business.

This year’s Rising Star Award recipient was Thomas Saunders of Baxter’s IGA, who started his retail career at Baxter’s IGA Prospect in 2016. Thomas quickly grew his career within the Baxter’s network, transitioning to a management role first at Baxter’s IGA Snug and then moving to Baxter’s IGA Sandy Bay, where he assisted with the establishment of the all-new store in 2022.

In recognition of IGA’s commitment to being at the forefront of the retail industry, the Transformation and Innovation Award is given to a store that demonstrates significant results due to refurbishment or investment. Patrick’s IGA Strahan was this year’s well-deserved winner, who has invested heavily in all areas of its store, improving its overall presentation and customer offering.

The TIR Values Award recognises unique individuals who consistently demonstrate the organisation’s values of supporting members, being open and honest, growing and innovating, and caring and listening.

This year’s award recipient was Todd Johnston. Todd joined the TIR business in 2012 as a retail consultant after a long career in the supermarket industry. He has developed a strong acumen of independent retailing and is always looking for opportunities to support and grow our member network. His commitment to the IGA brand, his work for our member stores, and his commitment in upholding our values is why he is the inaugural winner of the TIR Employee values award.

“Our retail stores are an essential part of our local communities, and I want to congratulate not only the recipients of this year’s awards but all our team members who work hard to give our customers an exceptional retail experience every day,” said Drew.