Asian Trader Awards: Suresh Arulanantham bags Tobacco Retailer Award

Suresh Arulanantham, who runs the MyCostcutter store in Rye, East Sussex, has won the Tobacco Retailer Award, supported by JTI, at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards ceremony held on 5 November at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel.

Arulanantham understands that tobacco still drives a disproportionate amount of footfall to the channel, and sees it as part of the trio of essential categories – tobacco, chilled and alcohol – that keep his store buzzing.

His symbol group Costcutter suggested a new undercounter tobacco cabinet, below the spirits shelf, creating a grown-ups’ luxury fixture that cross-fertilised sales and helped boost revenue by one-third since a re-fit last year, with tobacco now at 10 per cent of all sales.

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds attended as chief guest at the ceremony, which celebrated excellence in convenience retail across the UK. The event marked its 35th anniversary this year, continuing its tradition of recognising outstanding achievements in the sector.

Jonathan Reynolds speaks at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Speaking at the event, Shefali Solanki-Nair, associate publisher of Asian Trader, highlighted the crucial role of convenience retailers in local communities, amidst the many challenges facing the sector.

“With rising energy costs, inflation, and changes in taxation, many retailers are feeling the pinch more than ever. It’s a tough environment for convenience retailers who are already working with narrow margins while striving to offer exceptional service and products,” she said.

“These challenges are daunting, but the ability to adapt and innovate speaks volumes about retailer’s character and dedication.”

Noted impressionist Rory Bremner hosted the event, which also saw 15 other retailers being honoured in different categories, including Shaan and Arshan Chaudry of Costcutter, Triple A Foodstore in Nuneaton, who won the top prize, Asian Trader of the Year.

Bestway Sher Depot, Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow won the Wholesale Depot of the Year award. Six new product launches from the last year, voted for by the retailers, were also feted.

Ramniklal Solanki Editor’s Award, instituted in the memory of Ramniklal Solanki CBE, founder of Asian Media Group, went to the sub postmasters and mistresses caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal. Seema Misra and Vijay Parekh collected the award, representing them.

The event also raised funds for Lepra, a charity that support people affected by leprosy.

Attendees at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Arulanantham’s beautiful new tobacco cabinet replaced a 900mm sliding door unit which was higher up behind the counter, and it has increased the amount of stock that can be held on the shop floor by around 15 per cent, meaning a need to restock only once instead of twice a day. The tobacco is much easier to access for staff – and It’s also more secure.

Retailing tobacco is more rulebound than ever, but Arulanantham stays ahead and has instituted quarterly training and online CPL training for staff, alongside Health and Safety, and Tobacco andVape regulation training.

Winners of the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Winners List

Ram Solanki Award For Excellence in Convenience and Wholesale: Sub postmasters and mistresses caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal

Product and Manufacturer Awards

Snack Brand of the Year: McCoy's Epic Eats (KP Snacks)

Soft Drinks Brand of the Year: Coca Cola Lemon (CCEP)

Confectionery Brand of the Year: Cadbury Starbar Duo (Mondelez International)

Vape and Next Generation Brand of the Year: Blu Bar Pod (Imperial Brands)

Lager, Beer and Cider Brand of the Year: Birra Moretti Sale di Mare (Heineken)

Grocery Brand of the Year: McVitie’s Signature (pladis)

Asian Trader Awards 2024

Responsible Retailer of the Year supported by Imperial Brands: Priyesh Vekaria, One Stop Carlton Convenience, Salford, Manchester

Wholesale Depot of the Year supported by Tilda: Bestway Sher Depot, Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow

Convenience Chain of the Year: Kashif Jaffar, Southern Co-op Bromham Stores, Bromham, Bedford

Best smokeless alternatives Retailer of the year supported by VELO: Prashant and Trupti Patel, One Stop Brockworth in Gloucester

Bakery Retailer of the Year supported by Warburtons: Jess Read and Gary Hunt, Budgens of Holt, Norfolk

Next Gen Award: Harman Puni, HP Convenience Premier, Chesterfield

World Food Retailer Award supported by Tropical Sun: Reji Thomas & Siddique Chenganakattil, Essentials Supermarket, Bedford

Independent Retailer of the Year supported by Booker: Jenarthen Saravanamuthu, Premier Rassau Stores, Ebbw Vale, South Wales

Food to Go Retailer of the Year supported by KP Snacks: Priyesh Patel, Londis, Stoke Newington, London

Spirit of the Community Award supported by Mondelez International: Amarjit Singh Rakhra, Budgens Pomeroy Street, London

Symbol Retailer of the Year supported by Bestway: Kersheaup Vagadia, Costcutter Kearsley, Bolton

Off Licence of the Year supported by Molson Coors (Cobra): Pradeep Thangaraj, Wine Rack, Bicester, Oxford

Impulse Retailer of the Year supported by pladis: Bharat Khunti, Shivom Convenience Go Local, Nuneaton

Tobacco Retailer Award supported by JTI: Suresh Arulanantham, My Costcutter Murco, Rye, East Sussex

Local Hero Award: Nathalie Kaur, One Stop Partick Convenience Store, Glasgow

Businesswoman of the Year supported by Philip Morris Ltd: Sue Nithyanadan, Costcutter, Epsom, Surrey

Asian Trader of the Year: Shaan and Arshan Chaudry, Costcutter, Triple A Foodstore, Nuneaton, Warwickshire