The 2024 SPAR Australia Trade Show was held from 15-17 August on the Gold Coast, where winners of its Retail Awards were also announced.
Following a successful trade show at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Gala Awards Dinner brought together retailers, suppliers, directors, and staff of SPAR Australia to celebrate the achievements of the past year.
Hosted by Scott Williams, better known as The Doctor, the evening commenced with the presentation of the ‘Little SPAR Award’ named after its inaugural winner Bob and Judith Little from SPAR Maclean.
This year, Miles Hedge, former Chairman of SPAR Australia, was recognised for commitment and actions many years ago that allowed a smooth transition to the current ownership structure, with SPAR stating that without Hedge’s dedication, the SPAR we know today would not be here.
Taking out the Store of The Year awards was SPAR Tweed Heads, which won SPAR Store of the Year 2024, and SPAR Express Morpeth, which won SPAR Express Store of the Year 2024.
These awards were presented by Lou Jardin, Managing Director of SPAR Australia, and Dimitri Spyrakis, SPAR Guild Council Deputy Chair.
SPAR Australia’s Retail Awards Program, which recognises retailers who are excelling in their business, were presented by Mark McGuinnes, Chief Operating Officer of SPAR Australia, to the below retailers.
- SPAR Grocery Award – SPAR Tweed Heads
- SPAR Express Grocery Award – SPAR Express Morpeth
- Dairy / Freezer Award – SPAR Ballina
- Fresh Food Award – SPAR Malanda
- Food To Go Award – SPAR Express Oxenford
SPAR Grocery Excellence Award. L-R: Mark McGuinness (SPAR Chief Operations Officer) and Prue and Jeff Sykes (SPAR Tweed Heads). 
SPAR Express Grocery Excellence Award. L-R: Mark McGuinness (SPAR Chief Operations Officer) and Sharon and Jason Bull (SPAR Express Morpeth). 
Dairy / Freezer Excellence Award. L-R: Mark McGuinness (SPAR Chief Operations Officer) and Anusha Ayileni and Sagar Madarapu (SPAR Ballina). 
Fresh Food Excellence Award. L-R: Mark McGuinness (SPAR Chief Operations Officer) and Rebecca Padovan and Jeff English (SPAR Malanda).
The Store Manager of the Year award was won by a very deserving Anastacia Riley, from SPAR Express Granville, who has climbed the ranks over five years from team member to store member to now area manager, where she is a trusted mentor and resource for her store managers, always ready to offer assistance and guidance.
The Community/Partnership/Foundation (CPF) Award was presented and awarded to SPAR Bourke, who has embraced the CPF concept and is an example for the rest of the network to follow.
Being one of the two supermarkets in town, SPAR Bourke need to ensure they understand their customers. What sets SPAR Bourke apart from their competition is being able to build long term relationships with both customer and suppliers, ensuring open communication where all benefit.
Three suppliers from the trade show were also recognised for their stands, with Jardin and Colin Dwyer, National Merchandise Manager, presenting and thanking the suppliers for the effort they put into the event.
- Small Supplier Stand 2024 – Penfield Olives
- Medium Supplier Stand 2024 – Calbee Australia
- Large Supplier Stand 2024 – Suntory Beverage & Food
Small Supplier Stand Award. L-R: Colin Dwyer (National Merchandise Manager), Charmaine Witt & Gavin Witty (Penfield Olives) and Lou Jardin (Managing Director). 
Medium Supplier Stand Award. L-R: Colin Dwyer (National Merchandise Manager), Christen Perdikoyiannis & Daphney Jalleh (Calbee Australia) and Lou Jardin (Managing Director). 
Custom Supplier Stand Award. L-R: Colin Dwyer (National Merchandise Manager), Jo Goston, Angela Deale & Warren Jones (Suntory Beverage & Food) and Lou Jardin (Managing Director).
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