December 19 2008

The WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards are conducted by the Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries in WA (CFVIWA) and the Perth Market Authority (PMA). Now in their seventh year, the Awards match the best of WA's top fresh fruit and vegetable retailers in a spirit of friendly yet competitive rivalry.

The CFVIWA and the PMA started the awards in 2002 to recognise and reward fresh produce retailers demonstrating excellent customer service and retailing standards.

The CFVIWA and the PMA are seeking a suitably qualified company or individual to conduct the judging process for the 2009 WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year awards. Further information on the Awards and the judging process are outlined below.

Expressions of interest in conducting the judging process for the 2009 Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award should be emailed to executive@cfviwa.com.au.

Expressions of interest must be received by the 14th of January 2009.

The Award categories are:

• WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year (Open)
• Best Small Store - Floor space less than 120 square metres
• Best Fresh Produce Section within a Supermarket
• Regional Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year
• Best Weekend Market Retailer - Open to individual stallholders whose business is conducted in temporary premises and only weekends (Friday to Sunday)
• Excellence in Retailing Commodity Awards - Apple and Pear, Avocado, Banana and Potato - Open to all fresh produce retailers and fresh produce sections within a Supermarket.

In 2008 a total of 90 stores and weekend markets nominated to be part of the Awards including around 10 regional stores. All entrants are judged by the same mystery shopper:

• The judging criteria vary slightly between Award categories to account for the differences in their respective retailing environments.
• There are 2 rounds of judging for metro stores
• Finalists are judged a third time
• Regional stores are judged once
• The first round of judging is conducted at the end of February
• The second round of judging is conducted in March / April
• The final round of Judging for the finalists is held in June

The judging criteria are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain relevant. Currently they encompass the following:

• Initial appearance of shopfront (external).
• Ease of access and shopping process in the store.
• Internal appearance: cleanliness of store, effectiveness of displays.
• Management of produce quality.
• Range of fruit based on a checklist of seasonal availability.
• Range of vegetables based on a checklist of seasonal availability.
• Country of Origin Labeling (CoOL).
• Promotion of produce: nutrition information, recipes and meal solutions.
• Customer focus and provisions of services
• Overall assessment of store as a fresh produce retailer.

The 2009 Market City Ball and Fresh Produce Retailers of the Year Awards night is being held on the 24th of July at the Burswood Entertainment Complex. Store nominations will be called for at the end of January 2009.