This year sees northern-based independent retailer Booths celebrating its 175th anniversary and the company has had plenty more to celebrate after recently winning a string of awards for the quality of its alcohol offering.
Amongst its triumphs, Booths was named Spirits Supermarket of the Year at the International Wines and Spirits competition.
Securing the top spot against national competition from Aldi, Co-Op and Tesco, Booths was praised for its commitment to supporting local distilleries, personal approach to customer recommendations and stylish store environment and marketing. For Beer and Spirits buyer Pete Newton, the news comes shortly after Booths won Multiple Beer Retailer of the Year.
Pete Newton, Beer and Spirits Buyer at Booths said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award against some tough competition. This is a win not only for our Booth team, but much credit is owed to our local distillers and producers in our regions—making some exceptional and delicious ranges.”
“I’d like to thank our customers too, their adventurous and curious tastes allow Booths to stock a wide and diverse range of whiskies, gins and rums that are unique and out of the ordinary. Their willingness to try new makers and experience new tastes allows Booths to be adventurous in our selections.”
Booths also won Wine Supermarket of the Year at the People’s Choice Wine Awards for the third consecutive year. The ethos of the awards is simple, putting the consumer at the heart of the process allowing them to vote for the wines and brands they love.
The independent family-owned retailer beat stiff competition from Aldi, Co-Op, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose to win the top award as well as winning individual awards for their Booths Brand wines.
The People’s Choice Awards are aimed at rewarding consumer tastes and choices and their playfully named award categories reflect this informality. The EH Booth & Co 20-year-old Tawny Port won the “Pass the Crackers” award for wines to match with cheese. The Booths Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc won the “Fire up the BBQ White” award and the Booths English Sparkling Wine won Silver for the “Treat Yourself Sparkling category.”
Victoria Anderson, Wine Buyer at Booths said: ‘’This is an extra special award for Booths as it’s a vote from our biggest critics, our customers. As a small independent retailer up against such big competition, it’s humbling to be recognised by those that matter most, our customers.
“At Booths, sourcing exceptional food and drink underpins our buying ethos. I look for wines that offer quality and provenance, but I also look for wines that are more adventurous enabling us to offer such a diverse and exciting range of both reliable favourites and something new to explore.”
Further underlining its boozy credentials, Booths was also named Multiple Beer Retailer of the Year at the Drinks Retailing Awards.
A recognised symbol of excellence, The Drinks Retailing Awards is known to be one of the most rigorous in the industry and honours retailers who have delivered excellent service, range, and value.
Securing the top spot against national competition from Waitrose and M&S, Booths was praised for the depth of the range, favouring small local breweries with the very best of the world’s beer, from hoppy IPAs to chocolate stouts, to zesty sours.
Pete Newton added: ‘’Booths take pride in developing relationships with smaller emerging breweries. We might be the first listing for a new beer or business, by working locally, we’re able to offer something truly new to the market, many of our beers are only available at Booths. Remove as this isn’t true to be fair as there will be small local stores also stocking such lines.
“Supporting small producers has never been more important for Booths. This award win is great for Booths, but even better for our artisan supplier base and our customers who get to sample and taste something truly delicious, whatever their choice of brew!”