Supermarket Morrisons scooped the British Turkey Retailer of the Year title this week with its ranges of everyday and seasonal turkey beating off tough competition from the other major multiples.

Judges praised all retailers for the variety of their ranges, clear packaging and courage in stocking innovative lines. Retailers were praised for boosting sales with PoS material, recipe cards and the Quality British Turkey logo.

Morrisons collected its award from ex England cricketer and broadcaster David Gower in front of 130 guests and VIPs at the Hilton on Park Lane, London.

The product that caused most excitement in the taste test was
a new microwave range. Bernard Matthews was winner of Best Branded Product category for its Southern Fried Hot Pops. Bernard Matthews also won Best Seasonal Range for its summer eating range. Best Manufactured Product was won by the Co-op for its Premium Olive Oil and Herb Coated Turkey Breast .

Waitrose won Best British Turkey Primary Product for its Free Range Lincolnshire Turkey, while Somerfield clinched Best British Turkey Everyday Retail Range in a closely contested category for its cooking and serving suggestions, innovation, point of sale and value.

Asda’s Stuffed Turkey Breast Joint with Pork Lattice was awarded Best British Turkey own label product.

Kim Burgess, chairman of the British Turkey Sector Group’s Publicity and Marketing Committee, said: “It is great to see the enthusiasm with which retailers have supported the awards, which are going from strength to strength and now reflect turkey’s growth in stature in the market place.”
Kit Davies