Limerick shop’s butcher wins top retail accolade

THE BUTCHER at a popular Croom general store is celebrating after landing a prestigious retail award.

Gerry McDonald, of Broderick’s Spar in Croom was named butcher manager of the year at the ShelfLife Grocery Management awards.

Sales director with Spar Colin Donnelly said: “What a wonderful accolade for Gerry to receive and one that is wholly deserved.

Spar Croom is a fabulous community Spar store and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Gerry, Spar retailer Padraig Broderick and, indeed, all the team in Broderick’s Spar Croom on this latest accolade.”

The ShelfLife National Grocery Management Awards are now in their 19th year and are the long-standing benchmark for those in management in the retail industry.

A manager at another local general store was also honoured at the same awards ceremony.

Catherine Markham, who works at Mace at Thomas Street in the city centre, was named delicatessen/food to go manager of the year.

Keith Crawford, Mace sales director said: “The honour of being a winner at the annual ShelfLife National Grocery Management Awards is an acknowledgement of the ongoing excellence of Catherine and all the team in Mace Thomas Street.” Mr Crawford also extended congratulations to Sinead Roche, who owns the Mace outlet where Catherine works.