Critizr reveals winner of Proud Of My Store 2021 competition

A Co-op Food Store in Hornchurch, Romford has been announced as the Proud Of My Store overall winner.

Proud of My Store is a competition from customer interaction management specialist, Critizr, that celebrates frontline retail workers in the UK.

160 entries are currently featured on the competition website, telling tales of dedication, community spirit and customer service that went above and beyond during the coronavirus pandemic – from big name supermarkets to small regional boutiques and cafes.

Co-op Food Store Romford manager Claire Saunders and her team emerged victorious for their story of triumph over adversity.

In the face of rising incidents of anti-social behaviour from gangs at their store, they pulled together to focus their energies on positive community action.

THREAD:

Drumroll, please… 🥁

We are incredibly excited to announce, the overall winner of our #ProudofMyStore competition and officially the 'Proudest Store 2021' goes to… @coopuk Gidea Park, Romford! 🏆#retail #highstreet #customerservice #CX pic.twitter.com/sedkImMvNj
— Proud Of My Store (@ProudOfMyStore) August 18, 2021

Having witnessed the rising number of local people who were struggling financially during the pandemic, they founded a clothing bank to recycle and redistribute donated clothing between families.

The initiative was so successful that it blossomed into an official charity, The Baby Bank HQ, which now supports families with clothes, toiletries and basic necessities for children up to primary school age in five London boroughs.

The Baby Bank HQ has spread out with the Co-op to gain support from Tesco, as part of a bigger drive to help the 700,000 children estimated to be living in poverty in London.

This story was crowned the winner by Proud of My Store’s panel of industry experts, which included Critizr team members and Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium; Antony Hawman, Co-founder & CPO at TheIndustry.fashion; and Steve Collinge from Insight DIY.

The judges also gave a special commendation to New Look in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, whose entry told of exemplary customer service to ensure the store was a place of safety and comfort for a young transitioning customer.

Two additional entries were shortlisted as monthly winners alongside the Co-op and New Look, winning a donation to their local charity and treats for their team.

The Cakery in Leamington Spa who saved their business during lockdown by opening a ‘cake hatch’ pick up service and an online shop, as well as donating cakes to community groups.

Nisa Local in Bolton who turned lockdown into an opportunity to refurbish their store to create a broader and better in-store experience for customers.