PLB to sponsor IWSC retailer award

The International Wine and Spirit Competition has named PLB as the sponsor of its Retailer of the Year award for 2011 and 2012.

Winners over the past few years have included Waitrose (2010) and Sainsbury (2009). Judging is based upon performance in the wine and spirit categories and also evidence of retailing innovation.

Further criteria new to the 2011 awards include social responsibility initiatives and engaging with consumers via social media and on-line activities.

Peter Darbyshire, managing director at PLB, commented: “We are delighted to support an award that acknowledges the level of commitment and the effort made by our retailer customers to provide their own customers with the best possible experience in-store and online.

“It also promotes quality and encourages diversity and a real point of difference across their ranges, set against a challenging and competitive market place.”

This year’s judging panel includes the drinks business’ editor Patrick Schmitt, Jane Parkinson from The Wine Gang and BBC presenter Georgina Wroe.

In a new addition to the voting process, consumers will be encouraged to name their preferred wine retailer through an online survey. IWSC marketing manager, David Kelly, said: “Using social media to engage the consumer directly and gain feedback into their wine buying preferences is a new element of the award. It highlights the fact that the IWSC is constantly evolving to accommodate new social trends.

“The increasing importance of consumer recommendations over the purely traditional routes of wine marketing has led us to evolve the award and it will be an interesting aspect to bring to the judging panel, as well as showing valuable consumer insight.”

Judging for the award takes place in October and the result will be announced at the IWSC awards banquet ceremony, which takes place on 16 November at the Guildhall in London.