Ashley works at Liquor King Hillcrest, in Hamilton, and has completed his ServiceIQ National Certificate in Retail Level 3.

The award was presented by ServiceIQ Chief Executive Dean Minchington at the Auckland Top Shop Retail Excellence Awards last night. As well as being crowned the best in the country, Ashley also wins $1000 in ServiceIQ retail training for Liquor King.

Desiree Norman of Dick Smith Takapuna was presented with the regional ServiceIQ Retail Professional Award representing the upper North Island at the same event.

“The extremely high standard of entries in this year’s awards is a reflection on the strength of the retail sector. All the challenges from online sales, price competition and imports simply go to make the basics more important, and the most basic advantage any retailer can provide is outstanding service. Giving your people training that allows them to reach their potential is the best investment any retailer can make,” says Dean.

Ashley has worked at Liquor King for several years and aspires to become a manager. Liquor King Northern Regional Manager Lee-Ann Barns Lawton says Ashley has shown real drive and passion for the business. “He has shown great wins. The team at Horsham has given great feedback on Ashley and thrived from his management style.”

Ashley was the winner for the central North Island region. The other regional winners were:

• Desiree Norman, Dick Smith Takapuna, upper North Island
• Beau Richardson, NZ Rockshop Palmerston North, lower North Island
• Diana McKay, NZ Rockshop Christchurch, upper South Island
• Jess Pulham, Carvin Streetwear Gore, lower South Island