The Co-operative Group has received the highest accolade in the food retail industry.
It has been chosen as Multiple Retailer of the Year at the prestigious Retail Industry Awards 2002, beating Tesco and Asda into runners-up spots.
The awards, which are sponsored by Checkout, Independent Retail News and Highbury Business Communications, are recognised as the Oscars of the retail industry.
"It's a fantastic achievement," said Malcolm Hepworth, chief operating officer, retail division for the Co-op, which has a branch in St John's.
"This is the premier award in our industry."
"It recognises all the hard work we have put in to transform our business into the force it is today. It's a real tribute to all our staff," he added.
The judges were impressed by the progress made by the Co-op and by the dynamism and innovation shown in achieving a successful financial performance.
"This year proved to be a time of progression of using its new-found size to launch an ambitious retail strategy that gives a unique position in today's retail market," they commented.
The Co-op was also highly commended in two other award categories.
The supplies team were runners-up in the Multiple Retailer Initiative of the Year, while the marketing team were runners-up in the Marketing Initiative of the Year.
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