We recently caught up with 2024 Retailer of the Year Winners, Catherine Conner and Aidan Monks from Lovingly Artisan Bakery.

• Who are you? Where are you from? And what do you do?
  
  We are a husband-and-wife team, both helming our artisan bakery business in very different ways. Aidan Monks steers the product quality, development, production of loaves, and much much more behind the scenes. Aidan is very much hands-on, navigating the bakery and the operations daily. Catherine Connor is all about the customer experience, retail, developing the aspects of what we sell, managing how we market the business, and, alongside Aidan product innovation and development. This is the secret to a happy marriage and business; we are a team in the true sense of the word, supporting each other, and complimenting each other while both are given space to thrive within their differing roles.
  
  We have a picturesque bakery on the outskirts of Kendal and Altrincham Market, and keeping us nimble is the Bread Truck, Florence, parking up at weekly farmers markets and seasonal events across the North West. We have a rather busy bakery Summer ahead of us!  
  
  
• How did it feel winning Retailer of the Year 2024?
  
  It's hard to find the words; we have so much respect and regard for this accolade. We have devoted years to studying the judge's comments, not just on our business but also on the reviews of other retailing businesses, all with the mission of learning. So many retailers regard these awards so highly. It's the benchmark we have aspired to for years. Being a finalist for years and getting to the finals many times has taught us a great deal, and then winning this year, it blew us away. The award is a team's award, as an army of co-workers they all contribute. We couldn't stop smiling, and the team couldn't stop smiling. We will never forget, and we are already using the plaque by our doorway entrance as a reminder of what's important: never to lose sight of the customer and do your utmost every day. None of us can afford to stand still, boundaries need to be pushed and at times challenged too.
  
  
• Why was the win so important to you, your staff and your business?
  
  For many years, the award became a helpful training tool. We’ve utilised the feedback over the years as a measure of what we needed to implement, achieve, and change, becoming a resourceful teaching tool. If you are in retail, you're in a competitive marketplace, and the service level and standards are essential. They are the reason people will return again and again, creating a loyal customer base. We are in the bakery business, a business that thrives and survives by getting up early, trading on the markets, facing all the UK seasons, including many months of cold! The teams need a reason, a reminder for why they get up in those cold early mornings and acknowledgements such as this reminds us and our team that they are appreciated and regarded. We all need a little praise, regardless of age or experience. An award is a well-done and thank-you, and a significant mark of respect.
  
  
• What are you looking forward to from joining our judging team?
  
  The UK has a diverse retail landscape, and we are both looking forward to the variety we will meet throughout this process. Judging and viewing another in business is a real privilege. Time with the experienced judges is something to look forward to. Joining a panel, who we have listened to for years will be such a great experience. We will still listen and learn from our fellow judges and add a little sprinkle of Lovingly Artisan insight on customer service, experience, and business innovation.
  
  
• What advice would you give others considering entering these Awards?
  
  The best advice would be to enter and learn from the process, don’t hesitate, and think maybe I’ll enter next year or the year after…do it now! The process is a reward; the reward is thinking about your business, and your viewpoint is as essential as others. Those about to judge you, in our experience, have always nurtured, mentored, supported, and encouraged. We have received so much encouragement from Nigel and the judges over the years, year by year we have learnt and improved. Utilise the awards for all their goodness, as a teaching tool, a business development resource and an incredible marketing opportunity.
  
  
• Why should retailers enter these Awards?
  If you're in retail, you work hard 12 months a year and many days within those months; you need reward and focus. Your customers will give you great feedback daily, so give yourself a further chance and an opportunity for your customers to see, too, that they are making a good choice in you. You're good. The awards for finalists and winners are an incredible marketing tool and an opportunity to rave about your business.