NACS held its annual Convenience Summit Europe in June in Barcelona, Spain. The event explores the defining market trends and latest retailer innovations across the continent (don’t miss this issue’s article on the summit).

The event culminates with an awards ceremony gala, where NACS recognizes retailers for outstanding achievement in the European convenience industry across four categories: retailer of the year, industry leader of the year, sustainability, and technology.

Brian Donaldson, CEO of the Maxol Group, is this year’s recipient of the NACS European Convenience Industry Leader Award.

Established by William McMullan in 1920, Maxol is the largest family-owned convenience forecourt retailer in Ireland. With a network of 242 branded service stations, Maxol is one of the most recognized fuel brands in Ireland.

“Brian has done an amazing job of transforming the company from one that is fuel based to one that is food based. As the industry continues along this path, this is a model to both study and celebrate,” said NACS President and CEO Henry Armour.

Maxol has received accolades from NACS over the years for its innovative approach to convenience retail and exceptional store formats. Most recently, the Maxol Ballycoolin in Dublin, Ireland, won the 2022 NACS European Convenience Retailer of the Year Award and the Maxol Newbridge in County Kildare won the 2021 NACS European Convenience Retail Best of the Best Store Award.

“I am honored to receive this recognition and award from my peers. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Maxol team and support of the McMullan family. Over the past decade, our collective efforts have driven the success and innovation that define our company today. I am proud of what we have achieved, and this award inspires us to continue our journey,” said Donaldson.

Donaldson joined Maxol Oil Limited in September 1986 as a graduate trainee and played a key role in the development of Maxol’s retail network in Northern Ireland. He advanced through various positions over the decades and was appointed CEO in 2016.

Under his leadership, he has overseen a transformative strategy, repositioning Maxol as an innovative convenience-led brand. This includes the introduction of Maxol’s own convenience concept in the Republic of Ireland with proprietary brands Rosa coffee and Maxol Deli and a private label range. He also recently became chair of CBI NI’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Working Group, which is driving significant improvements around charge-point provision across Northern Ireland.

SuperValu Portstewart, part of the Musgrave Group, won the NACS European Convenience Retailer of the Year Award. This store was the first in Northern Ireland where Musgrave launched “SuperValu Rejuvenation” in August 2022. The concept was developed to redefine convenience retail related to store design, product selection, technology, customer service and branding elements.

With an investment of £1.1 million, SuperValu Portstewart was physically reimagined into a bright, airy, and modern space with wide linear aisles offering easier navigation for shoppers. The store also showcases a re-invention of the brand, most notably around a transformed food experience. The award was sponsored by Dover Fueling Solutions.

BWG Foods, part of the BWG Group in Dublin, Ireland, won the NACS European Convenience Retail Sustainability Award. Through the company’s work with Anglo Irish Refrigeration and Wirth Research, BWG Foods designed, created and implemented two energy efficient solutions: First, Next Generation Refrigeration uses airflow movements to enhance the cooler’s energy efficiency, and second, Climate Flow repurposes cold air to cool the store during the summer and utilizes hot air to heat the store during the winter. The award was sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company.

Germany-based Q1 Shop & Go won the NACS European Convenience Retail Technology Award. Q1 Energie AG, which operates over 230 petrol stations and more than 50 electric vehicle charging stations throughout Germany, is testing a new form of convenience with its Q1 Shop & Go, a fully autonomous store located in the Science Park in Osnabrück.

Q1 Shop & Go is an AI-based smart store designed make quick and easy errands possible. It is open 24/7 and product selection includes in-between meals and groceries, fresh snacks/sandwiches such as wraps and salads, as well as chilled drinks and a coffee-to-go range. The store does not have employees onsite. The award was sponsored by Gilbarco Veeder-Root.

The global NACS Convenience Summit Europe event takes place each year in a different European city and is hosted by U.S.-based NACS. Visit convenience.org/CSE for more information and to register for next year’s event in Copenhagen, Denmark.