YORK, Pa. -- Rutter's Farm Stores has captured second place in an international competition. Rutter's competed in the 2008 Retail Industry Awards, held September 25 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Rutter's was one of four finalists in the category of "Global Convenience Format of the Year," which recognizes the top store designs. The awards were sponsored by Insight Research and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).
The category winner was U.K.-based Tesco Plc, one of the world's largest retailers. The other finalists were from the United Kingdom [image-nocss] and South Africa.
Scott Hartman, president and CEO of Rutter's Farm Stores, was among the 1,000 people who attended the awards ceremony. "We're really proud of the new Rutter's store design, which we've rolled out at a half-dozen new stores since spring," he said. "We've worked really hard to create a shopping experience for our customers. Being a finalist for an international honor is rewarding and humbling at the same time."
New Rutter's stores feature open ceilings, the extensive use of floor and wall tiles and bathrooms with floating ceilings, music and other upscale accents. The design is environmentally friendly, as well, incorporating more than one dozen "green" concepts, including a white roof to keep the building cooler, more-efficient lighting systems and energy-management software.
NACS featured the new store design in its "Ideas 2 Go" video presentation at the 2008 NACS Show in Chicago earlier this week.
Rutter's is in the midst of the most ambitious growth plans in its 40-year history, the company said. The company will invest more than $55 million this year to build 10 stores and 11 car washes, which will add 350 new jobsand more than $4.5 million in annual wages and benefitsto the area economy. Four more stores are in the planning-and-approval process for 2009 openings.
York, Pa.-based Rutter's Farm Stores operates 52 convenience stores in York, Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania.
Click hereto read CSP Daily News coverage of Rutter's new design, andclick here for a store tour.Click here for coverage of "Ideas 2 Go."
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