Annual awards recognise individual management excellence in Ireland’s grocery retail sector.
Aidan Doyle of Pettitt’s SuperValu in Bray, Co. Wicklow has been named National Grocery Retail Manager of the Year at the prestigious 2025 ShelfLife Grocery Management Awards this week.
The awards saw almost 360 industry professionals gather to celebrate as 21 awards were presented across various categories. Bank of Ireland served as the event’s platinum sponsor, with the awards carried out in association with Excel Recruitment.
“These awards showcase the excellent standards and service delivered by the Irish grocery sector”
Doyle, who received the evening’s grand prize from Owen Clifford, Head of Retail at Bank of Ireland, was praised by judges for his exceptional leadership, mentorship capabilities, and consistent high performance.
Nikki Murran, Director of Grocery Recruitment at Excel Recruitment, described Doyle as “a true career retailer – someone who lives and breathes the trade” with “an unwavering passion for retail, a deep belief in the power of customer trust, and an incredible drive to deliver excellence.”
Murran highlighted that Doyle had taken on a new store just four years ago and more than doubled expected sales in his first year. “But their greatest achievement? Building a culture. A team culture so strong it’s become the backbone of the store’s continued success, where every team member feels empowered, valued, and driven to deliver their best – every day,” she added.
The detail in retail
Bank of Ireland head of Retail Sector Owen Clifford with Aidan Doyle of Pettitt’s SuperValu in Bray and ShelfLife publisher John McDonald
ShelfLife publisher John McDonald commended the high standard of this year’s entrants, noting the significant challenges facing today’s retail managers: “There is no end to the pressure heaped upon grocery retail managers. Retail managers are working harder and doing more with less. The successful crop of GMA short-listed candidates for 2025 are exceptionally aware of their local competitive landscape, they maintain a culture of exceptional customer service and they work hard to develop individuals and teams who will maintain store standards around the clock.”
Owen Clifford of Bank of Ireland emphasised the importance of recognising excellence in the sector: “These awards showcase the excellent standards and service delivered by the Irish grocery sector. They also celebrate the significant contribution made by personnel within the sector to their local communities nationwide.”
The ceremony, hosted by RTÉ Radio One’s Shay Byrne, presented awards across multiple categories, celebrating excellence in various departments from customer service to specialized retail operations.
Other major winners included Fiona Lynam of Herlihy’s Centra (Customer Service Manager), Declan Burns of SPAR/The Cantillon Group (Large C-Store Manager), and the Griffin Retail Group (Retail Team of the Year).
The full list of awards, winners and sponsors:
Checkout Manager / Customer Service Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Excel Recruitment
Fiona Lynam, Herlihy’s Centra, Grand Parade, Cork
Retail Café Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Oatly
Eileen Hughes, SuperValu Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin
Butcher Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Excel Recruitment
Keith Roberts, SuperValu Lucan, Dublin
Delicatessen/Food to Go Manager of the Year – C-Store
Sponsored by Bunzl Ireland
Vincent Whitmore, Sheahans Centra, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Delicatessen/Food to Go Manager of the Year – Forecourt
Sponsored by Bunzl Ireland
Deirdre Conroy, Barack Obama Plaza, Co. Tipperary
Delicatessen/Food to Go Manager of the Year – Supermarket
Sponsored by Bunzl Ireland
Catalina Molnar, Donnybrook Fair, Morehampton Road, Dublin 4
Off-Licence Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Santa Rita
Kieran O’Neill, SuperValu Heuston, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
HR Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Excel Recruitment
Ezolda Chambers, SuperValu Loughboy Shopping Centre, Co. Kilkenny
Small C-Store Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Muller
Mark Ryan, Roches MACE, Co. Limerick
Medium C-Store Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Celsius
Raj Kodali, Herlihy’s Centra, Coleman Court, Cork City
Large C-Store Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Hale Vaping
Declan Burns, SPAR/The Cantillon Group, Eastgate, Little Island, Cork
Small Forecourt Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Salescare/Toshiba
Jayd David, McGuires Gala/Sweeney Oil, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Medium Forecourt Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Salescare/Toshiba
Anya Furlong, Centra/EMO, Junction 13, Grey Abbey Road, Co. Kildare
Large Forecourt Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Salescare/Toshiba
Brian Joyce, The Galway Plaza/SPAR, Athenry, Co. Galway
Small Supermarket Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Bank of Ireland
Damien White, EUROSPAR Rathkeale, Co. Limerick
Medium Supermarket Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Glenhaven Quality Foods Ltd
Lewis Mitchell, SuperValu Newcastle, Graydon Road, Co. Dublin
Large Supermarket Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Glenhaven Quality Foods Ltd
Aidan Doyle, Pettitts SuperValu, Southern Cross, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Retail Team of the Year
Sponsored by Shelton Distributors Ltd
Griffin Retail Group, Londis Beacon Court, Sandyford Ind. Estate, Dublin 18
Brand Marketing Team of the Year
Sponsored by S&W Wholesale
Pladis Ireland
Trading Team of the Year
Sponsored by Shopper Intelligence Ireland
Dunnes Stores
Supreme Champion 2025
Sponsored by Bank of Ireland
Aidan Doyle, Pettitt’s’ SuperValu, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Main image at top: Bank of Ireland head of Retail Sector Owen Clifford speaking at the awards
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