Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Shaan and Arshan Chaudry crowned Asian Trader of the Year

Shaan and Arshan Chaudry crowned Asian Trader of the Year

Brothers Shaan and Arshan Chaudry of Costcutter, Triple A Foodstore in Nuneaton, have been crowned Asian Trader of the Year 2024 at the prestigious Asian Trader Awards ceremony held in London on November 5.

The brothers' innovative store, which emerged from extensive global market research across Ireland, Greece, and Canada, was praised by judges as “the blueprint for the future of convenience retailing.”


Their store, which won them the Food to Go Retailer of the Year award last year, features an impressive array of offerings, including an in-house bakery, Greek street food, and an 18-flavor gelato range, alongside traditional convenience store products.

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.

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

The Chaudry brothers' store stands out for its extensive range of products, professional staff training, and innovative services including in-car delivery and a hand-made gyros section, setting new standards in convenience retail excellence.

The store is revolutionary in many ways and heavily influenced by sustainability, environmental standards and social responsibility, values which have formed the bedrock of the business.

This very large, immaculately merchandised store has become the ultimate a “go-to” destination, not just for the community but also the surrounding area.

The store’s food to go offering is truly fabulous. From fresh pizza, Greek street-food and an instore bakery to fresh foods, milkshakes and a home made gelato range, this convenience store has it all.

Stocking the full range of ambient, fresh, chilled and frozen foods, snacks, soft drinks and beers, wines and spirits, all merchandised in enticing, bright displays, this store is not just a destination shop but one that gives a truly soul enhancing shopping experience.

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

More for you

Ramniklal Solanki Editor’s Award

Seema Misra (L-4) and Vijay Parekh (L-5) receive Ramniklal Solanki Editor’s Award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Subpostmasters honoured with Ramniklal Solanki Editor’s Award

Sub-postmasters and mistresses caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal have been honoured at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards, conferring them with the Ramniklal Solanki Editor’s Award.

The Award, instituted in the memory of the founder of Asian Media Group and Asian Trader Ramniklal Solanki CBE, is presented to a person, or group of people, who have made an outstanding contribution the convenience retail sector.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wholesale Depot of the Year award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Shahzad Malik (third from left), of Bestway Wholesale, receives Wholesale Depot of the Year award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Asian Trader Awards: Bestway Glasgow Sher wins Wholesale Depot of the Year award

Bestway Glasgow Sher deport on Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow has won the Wholesale Depot of the Year award, supported by Tilda, at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards ceremony held on 5 November at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel.

Bestway Sher is a dynamic and innovative depot that invests in its staff and new technology to ensure the very best service for its more than 3000 customers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyesh Vekaria receives Responsible Retailer of the Year award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Priyesh Vekaria (third from left) receives Responsible Retailer of the Year award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Asian Trader Awards: Priyesh Vekaria chosen as Responsible Retailer of the Year

Priyesh Vekaria, who runs the One Stop Carlton Convenience store in Salford, Manchester, has won the Responsible Retailer of the Year award, supported by Imperial Brands, at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards ceremony held on 5 November at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel.

Vekaria’s sense of responsibility might have something to do with the fact that before he became a retailer he worked as a policeman for 10 years, and his new retail career was in fact a return to what his parents had done for 30 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kashif Jaffar receives Convenience Chain of the Year award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Kashif Jaffar receives Convenience Chain of the Year award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Asian Trader Awards: Kashif Jaffar wins Convenience Chain of the Year award

Bedford retailer Kashif Jaffar has won the Convenience Chain of the Year award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards ceremony held on 5 November at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel.

Jaffar is a serial retail entrepreneur who has built a highly successful chain of convenience stores across the south-east of England.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian Trader Awards: Prashant and Trupti Patel named Best Smokeless Alternatives Retailer of the Year

Trupti and Prashant Patel (third and fourth from left) receive Best Smokeless Alternatives Retailer award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards

Asian Trader Awards: Prashant and Trupti Patel named Best Smokeless Alternatives Retailer of the Year

Prashant and Trupti Patel, who run the One Stop Brockworth store in Gloucester, have won the Best Smokeless Alternatives Retailer of the Year award, supported by VELO, at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards ceremony held on 5 November at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel.

Prashant is another adventurer who arrived – first from India, and then via a career in mobile technology – at retail, where he has made his true home.

Keep ReadingShow less