LONDON, 2015-6-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — SPAR UK has won the 2015 NACS Insight European Technology Implementation Award, sponsored by Verifone Inc. The award was presented during the NACS Insight Convenience Summit – Europe in London on June 11.
The award recognizes SPAR UK for excellence in the implementation of innovative and outstanding IT solutions within the convenience retailing industry. SPAR UK’s long-term technology investments are keeping pace with today’s sophisticated payment methods, such as chip and PIN, and maintain compliance with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards. The company recognizes that secure, cost-effective payment solutions not only provide customers with piece of mind, but also enhance the SPAR brand by strengthening data security measures and delivering exceptional customer service. Founded in Holland in 1932 by Adriaan van Well, SPAR is the world’s largest international food retail chain, with 12,322 stores in 34 countries, and the United Kingdom’s leading convenience store group.
“Around the world retailers face daunting challenges related to the rapidly evolving payment landscape to keep up with changing regulations and consumer demands of today—and tomorrow—all while protecting consumers against the ever present threat of cybercriminals,” said Brad McGuiness, senior vice president of engineering for Verifone. “Verifone is honored to recognize SPAR UK for its forward-thinking use of technology, which is helping the company efficiently overcome these challenges while enhancing the customer experience.”
“SPAR genuinely deserves this European Technology accolade. Consumers are looking for more speed in everything they do and in order to capitalize on the opportunity this creates for our industry, independent convenience retailers need to be at the forefront of technology implementation,” said Dan Munford, managing director of Insight. “SPAR UK, with the close support of its leading wholesalers, is really doing a great job in giving retailers the technology they need to do their jobs.”
NACS President and CEO Henry Armour congratulated SPAR UK for its commitment to advancing technology best practices. “Key learnings from world-class peers such as SPAR help our global convenience retail community innovate and develop in the technology arena, driving operational efficiencies that deliver cost savings and exceeding customer expectations during their shopping occasions.”
Now in its second year, the NACS Insight Convenience Summit – Europe (conveniencesummit.com) brings together convenience and fuel retailing industry professionals from around the world to discuss new ideas and gain new commercial connections. This year’s event kicked off in Berlin on June 7 and ends on June 12 in London.
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Founded in 1961 as the National Association of Convenience Stores, NACS (nacsonline.com) is the international association for convenience and fuel retailing. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 152,700 stores across the country, posted $696.1 billion in total sales in 2014, of which $482.6 billion were motor fuels sales. NACS has 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier member companies, which do business in nearly 50 countries.