Award Winning Convenience

Hardev Singh Ruprai was just thirteen when he started working in his parents’ shop. He learnt every aspect of the business from the ground up and it’s why winning the title of ‘Convenience Retailer of the Year’ means so much to him and his family.

“Over the last thirty six years there have been good days and bad days, we’ve been open through sun and snow and everything in between. I’m so proud that what my parents started and what we’ve achieved has been officially recognised. No one can ever take that away.”

After being nominated for the award by one of their suppliers, three judges from the English Asian Business Awards spent over an hour in the shop, talking to staff and customers, before awarding the title. What helped Ruprai Food and Wine stand out from the crowd was their wide range of alcohol, their charity work and their contribution to the local area.

“Our aim is to be a place where people can do a quick shop for the essentials. All our staff live locally, and we want to give people what they need, to be here for the community. This award tells us we must be doing something right.”

But while Ruprai is very much a traditional family business, Hardev is determined to continually improve and develop the shop. Four years ago they undertook a massive refit, adding more chillers and upgrading the technology. It was a big risk, but their loyal customers stuck with them through the disruption.

 “There are people who’ve been coming here since the shop first opened. We’ve seen generation after generation coming through, people who first came in as kids are now coming in with their own children. I just want to say a massive thank you to all our customers and all our staff, past and present. This award is for them.”

 Published in My Moseley and Kings Heath, December 2014.

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