Delight and pride at yet another top store award

Warehouse Stationery store manager Russell Burney and assistant store manager Hazel Warahi celebrate national success for the Wanganui branch. PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO

Warehouse Stationery Wanganui has just picked up the company in-house Store of the Year award.

On top of that, it was named best store for the lower North Island for the fourth time - and the third time under its current management.

Both awards were based on criteria over 20 key areas, including sales, customer service, profit and team engagement.

A delighted store manager, Russell Burney, said the staff at the Victoria Ave store were proud of their achievement.

"It was pretty cool to get our name called out and to go up and say something," he said.

Mr Burney said when he took over the store five years ago it was ranked third from bottom in the country.

"So to take out the national award as well has made all our efforts the more worthwhile."

The formula for success was simple - "We just want all our customers and our staff to come in with a smile and to walk out with a smile," he said.

Mr Burney was also named store manager of the year at the regional awards event and received his five-year service award.

"It's the people ... that's what makes it worthwhile."