JP Pozzi picks up Scottish Local Retailer 20th anniversary award
David Robertson is pretty pozzi-tive after the JP Pozzi store in Buckie clinched the Scottish Local Retailer’s Newstrader of The Year Award.
Adding to the collection of Retas and Greats trophies, retailer and PG columnist David, who runs and owns the Pozzi and Bijou newsagents and greetings and gift shop group in Buckie and Elgin together with his mum Lynda, discovered they had won the title at the 20th anniversary black tie event, held at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel.
“With the sad news of the Queen’s passing I held off announcing it,” David explained after waiting over a week to reveal his triumph following the plush party on 7 September. “We’ve seen how newspapers can provide brilliant coverage and commentary of world events. While this category is challenging, a newspaper is still a huge part of the daily events.”
The awards are run by Scottish Local Retail, the country’s only monthly magazine dedicated to the locally-owned convenience retailing trade and publisher Anthony Begley commented: “The local retailing sector has shone brighter than ever during the pandemic and the collective efforts of local retailers across the country has helped build what all hope will be a lasting positive legacy from a period that has been hugely difficult on so many levels.
“To mark the 20th anniversary and make the most of the chance to meet face-to-face for the first time in two years, we had an extra special event with a few surprises to help ensure the event remains a highlight of the local retailing calendar in Scotland.”
With two stores in Buckie’s High Street, Pozzi provides a 364-day delivery service for newspapers along with café, takeaway food and drinks, cigarettes, lottery at number 8, with 17b offering 100ft of cards, alongside a value-based selection of gifts, stationery, handmade chocolates, and party, to complement its flagship store Bijou in Elgin where there are two floors of greetings, gifts, jewellery, a beauty salon and newly-refurbished coffee shop. David also owns Bijou By The Sea in Portessie which is currently closed for refurbishment into a restaurant and retail space.
David added: “We were proud to receive this award again and, with judges visiting the store on two occasions, it’s a true reflection of all the work that goes in to make a small business work. Thanks to all the staff who support mum and I, and especially the drivers and paperboys and girls who do so well delivering the news in all weathers.”
David writes a monthly Over The Counter column in Progressive Greetings magazine, click here to read his latest article, which appeared in the September edition.
Top: A suitably-Scottish David Robertson collects the SLA award
