Small Town, Big Winners - Four National Titles In a Row For Croom

There were double celebrations in Croom this week as Broderick’s SPAR Croom scooped two prestigious national awards at the 2026 National Grocery Retail Awards, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday, November 4th.

The family-run supermarket was crowned National Small Supermarket of the Year for an incredible fourth consecutive year, setting a remarkable new record in the Irish grocery retail industry.

And the celebrations didn’t stop there, as Broderick’s also walked away with the coveted Customer Service Excellence Award, recognising the outstanding dedication, friendliness and commitment of its team.

Competing against some of the finest retail stores from across Ireland, the Croom supermarket once again proved that a small town can compete with — and beat — the very best in the country.

For owner Padraig Broderick, the awards are a tremendous source of pride, but he was quick to point out that the real credit belongs to the people who make the business what it is.

“These awards belong to our brilliant team,” said Padraig.

“They bring such a positive attitude to work every day, with an unbelievable amount of energy, enthusiasm and passion for constantly improving what we do. They richly deserve this recognition.”

Padraig believes that what makes Broderick’s special goes far beyond the products on its shelves.

“We are a real community store. Our customers know our staff, our staff know our customers, and there is a genuine warmth and friendliness throughout the shop. That is something you simply cannot manufacture.”

The judges were particularly impressed by the welcoming atmosphere, community spirit and friendly service that have become hallmarks of the Croom business.

The supermarket has also continued to develop its offering, introducing new ranges, improving its fresh food departments and constantly looking for ways to give customers a better shopping experience.

Padraig says the secret to the store’s continued success is its willingness to embrace change.

“Retailing never stands still. The team understands that what made us successful yesterday won’t necessarily be enough tomorrow. We are always looking at ways to improve, develop new ideas and give our customers something different.”

He added that the business has worked hard to develop a reputation for fresh food, quality, value and exceptional customer service.

“We have a real passion for fresh food, and we are very proud of our bakery, deli, butchery and the way our team has developed some fantastic new ranges. But above all, we want customers to enjoy coming into our shop.”

Winning the national title once is a major achievement for any independent supermarket. Winning it four years in succession is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the consistency and ambition of the entire team.

For Padraig, however, the greatest reward is the support the business receives from the local community.

“We have fantastic customers in Croom and the surrounding areas. They have supported us through the years, and we never take that loyalty for granted. These awards are as much a celebration of our customers and our community as they are of our business.”

And with four consecutive national titles now proudly on display in Croom, the inevitable question is already being asked.

Can Broderick’s make it five in a row? Padraig laughs at the suggestion.

“We’ll enjoy this one first! But knowing our team, they’ll be back tomorrow morning looking for ways to make the shop even better.”

FOUR IN A ROW — AND THE DRIVE FOR FIVE IS ON!

For now, one thing is certain: Croom has plenty of reasons to celebrate.

A small town, a brilliant team and four national titles in a row.

Croom Abú!

*Sponsored Content