O'Brien's Wine, Beer and Spirits at Parkway Shopping Centre in Limerick won the 2007 National Retail Store of the year title at the annual FBD Crest Retail Excellence Awards at the weekend.
O'Brien's Wine, Beer and Spirits started as a family firm, owned by brothers Brendan, Kevin and Jim O'Brien. It is now the country's largest centrally owned wine chain. The Parkway store opened last June and the brothers opened their 27th store in Dublin's Clontarf in November. The company employs over 200 staff.
A total of 479 stores entered the FBD Crest awards this year. Stores competing for the top prize undergo a number of rigourous mystery shopping visits.
Other winners this year include:
Best Large Store
Southern Region - Ardkeen Quality Foodstore
Western Region - Casey's Furniture
Eastern Region - Louis Copeland Menswear
Best Small Store
Southern Region - Lamber De Bie Florists
Western Region - O'Brien's Wine, Beer and Spirits
Eastern Region - The Guinness Store
Retail Company of the Year
Lifestyle Sports
Manager of the Year
Sinead Walsh, Ecco Shoes, Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork
Shopping Centre of the Year
Dundrum Town Centre
Supplier of the Year
3Sixty Marketing
