The dust had barely settled on the celebrations surrounding the relaunch of its new-look store when SPAR Graiguecullen was celebrating again thanks to Noel Kavanagh’s achievement in winning the prestigious Large C-Store Manager of the Year accolade at the 2026 National Grocery Management Awards.
Attended by almost 320 guests at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on Wednesday, May 13 last, the National Grocery Management Awards is Ireland’s premier scheme for recognising and honouring individual management excellence. To win one is a high point in the career of many of Ireland’s best performing managers from across a variety of categories and at various levels of career progression. The event is also the principal event for managers from across all wholesale brands to gather with colleagues, business partners, suppliers and friends.
“I was shocked to be honest,” Noel says of scooping the coveted award.
“I was nominated before, but never thought I would win. It’s great for the shop and our amazing team who I’d like to dedicate this award to. It couldn’t happen without them. It’s a real team effort. We employ 15 people between full-time and part-time, and I wouldn’t like to single anyone out. I would just like to thank each and everyone of them for all they do, and to also thank our customers who support us on a daily basis.”
The win came on the back of a successful relaunch of the store, which straddles the Laois-Carlow border, in February following a significant investment and refit carried out in partnership with BWG Foods. The relaunch marked one year since SPAR Graiguecullen completed its refit, which has transformed the Shamrock Business Park store into a modern and customer-focused destination.
The revamped store features an upgraded deli counter, a dedicated seating area, a new fresh-cream bakery range, an off-licence and a fresh layout designed to enhance the overall customer experience. Owned and operated by Shane Cantillon of the Cantillon Group, SPAR Graiguecullen has been serving the local community since 2007 and forms part of a broader portfolio that includes two additional SPAR convenience stores in Cork (Little Island and Mount Oval) and five Maxol locations across Cork and Waterford.
The team ethos and community spirit were central to the relaunch, with long-serving team member Breda revealing how she returned from retirement to the store because she “missed it so much”, and the store’s oldest customer – ninety something Rose Kenna – taking on ribbon-cutting duties for the day. The relaunch also included a special live outdoor broadcast with KCLR 96FM presenter Brian Redmond along with a visit from Mr Tayto.
“This relaunch was never just about the store’s physical transformation,” Shane Cantillon noted.
“It’s about ensuring our colleagues have a great workplace and our customers have a modern and welcoming local space to meet, enjoying the quality of hot and cold food or drinks, along with the increased range and value on offer.
“We are incredibly proud of the teams here, and I want to pay credit to the store manager, Noel Kavanagh, who, along with the staff, has shown continued commitment to excellence and helped drive the store’s success.”
SPAR sales director Colin Donnelly added: “The transformation of SPAR Graiguecullen is a great example of the commitment and excellent service that our independent retailers bring to their local communities.
“The Cantillon Group has delivered a fantastic customer-focused store that reflects the highest standards of the SPAR brand. We are proud to support Shane, Noel, and the entire team, whose dedication is clearly evident in the loyalty of their customers and the enthusiasm surrounding the relaunch.
“We look forward to seeing the store continue to thrive in the years ahead.”
SPAR Graiguecullen is already reaping the benefits of the revamp as Noel explains: “It’s been the making of us; it has completely turned the shop around. Our sales and footfall are well up, and we’re now where we need to be.
“We have a great customer-base and are at the heart of a wonderful community. We have a lot of elderly customers who the girls at the checkouts are on first-name terms with. They love the chat and interaction which they mightn’t get elsewhere. Our location in Shamrock Business Park also sees us attract hundreds of work-based customers every week. As part of our relaunch celebrations, we had giveaways every Thursday for the month of February. We called it our customer appreciation month.
“The Cantillon Group is a fantastic company to work for. I couldn’t fault them. Shane is always looking at ways to do things better. He never rests on his laurels.”
SPAR Graiguecullen is a bright, spacious and well laid-out store which is committed to providing customers with the best quality and prices as well as a friendly and enjoyable shopping experience. The store combines the best of SPAR’s own grocery brands with the leading brands, and features brands such as Smooch ice-cream, Slushy Jacks and Insomnia coffee. An ATM machine is also located within the store.
“We’re your local shop for deli, off-licence, coffee to-go, convenience stores essentials and much more. We’re big into our food and freshness.”
SPAR stores are actively involved in a national fundraising and awareness campaign with the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI). This partnership, which includes EUROSPAR stores as well, aims to raise funds and raise awareness about breast cancer.
“We are proud to support the National Breast Cancer Research Institute as well as many local clubs and charities. We also pride ourselves on providing local jobs and supporting local produce,” the award-winning store manager adds.
Noel has worked in retail for the past 25 years, with 23 of those being spent in Carlow.
“I’m originally from Kilrush, which is near Bunclody in Co. Wexford, but now live in Tinryland just outside Carlow town. I began my retail journey with Superquinn in Carlow before working for SuperValu in their Hacketstown and Carlow stores. I then did a stint with Applegreen on the Killeshin Road in Carlow before taking up my current role six-and-a-half years ago. I love it here. No two days are the same.”
SPAR Graiguecullen is open from 7am to 10pm Monday-Saturday and 8am to 9pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. As the store approaches 20 years in business, Noel would like to take this opportunity to thank his team, customers and suppliers for their unwavering support.
SPAR Graiguecullen
Shamrock Business Park,
Graiguecullen,
R93 P2R4.
Telephone: (059) 917 3094
Email: [email protected]
First published in Grocery & Retail Ireland magazine Vol 5 No 3, Autumn 2026
