Staff of Windyridge Garden Centre with their National Retailer of the Year award presented by Orla McGuinness and Gilda Prender from Elavon.
Windyridge Garden Centre named as National Retailer of the Year 2025
The energy and determination we’ve seen throughout the sector give us every reason to look ahead to 2026 with optimism.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025.
Retail Excellence Ireland, the largest representative body for the retail industry in Ireland, has announced the winners of each of the 22 categories at the Elavon Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2025.
Over 500 executives from the retail industry attended the ceremony at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on Saturday night.
Dún Laoghaire-based Windyridge Nurseries & Garden Centre won National Retailer of the Year and was commended by the judges as a welcoming retail environment, with helpful staff and a high level of focus on the customer experience.
Whelehans Wines in Dublin won the Independent Store of the Year Award. The judges were impressed by the excellent knowledge of staff and focus on making the retail process an enjoyable occasion.
Ecommerce continues to serve as an avenue for every retailer to attract new customers and showcase their offerings to the world. The Nude Wine Co from Co. Kildare was named as Small Online Retailer of the Year, Michael Murphy Home Furnishing, Co. Kildare was named Medium Online Retailer of the Year, while McElhinneys Co. Donegal was named as Large Online Retailer of the Year. Kilkenny Design, Co. Cork, won Ecommerce Team of the Year.
Speaking following the announcement, Jean McCabe, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland, said: “I’m thrilled to celebrate the winners of the Elavon Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2025. Once again, the calibre of entries this year has been outstanding, and our judging panel faced an exceptionally tough task in selecting the final winners.
“Our awards night remains a highlight of the Irish retail calendar, providing a moment to recognise the creativity, innovation, and resilience that define our industry. As retailers continue to face the rising costs of doing business in Ireland with determination, the energy we’ve seen throughout the sector give us every reason to look ahead to 2026 with optimism.”
Accepting the award, Paul Harvey, co-owner of Windyridge Garden Centre, said:
“We’re absolutely over the moon with this award, but the real credit goes to our fantastic team. They’re the heart of Windyridge. Every day they show up with positivity, passion, and a genuine love for helping our customers, and it shows. As a family-run business for 63 years, we’ve always believed in constantly improving and finding new ways to make the garden centre even better.
Our staff live that every single day. They’re always learning, always trying new ideas, and always pushing to make the experience special for everyone who walks through the door. This award is really for them. We couldn’t be prouder, and we’re looking forward to celebrating with our customers over the coming weeks.”
Established by Retail Excellence Ireland in 1997, the Awards is the biggest event in the Irish retail industry calendar and aims to promote best practice and encourage high standards in the Irish retail industry.
Full list of winners
|
Category
|
Winner
|
|
National Retailer of the Year
|
Windyridge Nurseries & Garden Centre, Co. Dublin
|
|
Unsung Hero of the Year
|
Caroline O’Connor, Woulfe Wellness, Co. Dublin
|
|
Rising Star of the Year
|
Jonathan Orr – Sky Ireland, Co. Dublin
|
|
Manager of the Year
|
Ericka Hennessy – Three Ireland, Co. Cork
|
|
Ecommerce Team of the Year
|
Kilkenny Design, Co. Cork
|
|
Small Online Retailer of the Year
|
The Nude Wine Co, Co. Kildare
|
|
Medium Online Retailer of the Year
|
Michael Murphy Home Furnishing, Co. Kildare
|
|
Large Online Retailer of the Year
|
McElhinneys, Co. Donegal
|
|
Responsible Retailer of the Year
|
Vision Ireland, Co. Dublin
|
|
Independent Store of the Year
|
Whelehans Wines, Co. Dublin
|
|
Lifestyle Store of the Year
|
Blarney Woollen Mills, Co. Cork
|
|
Jewellery Store of the Year
|
Seoidín, Co. Clare
|
|
Pet Store of the Year
|
Petstop Rathmines, Co. Dublin
|
|
Foodstore of the Year
|
Barnhill, Co. Dublin
|
|
Café of the Year
|
Insomnia Howth, Co. Dublin
|
|
Furniture Store of the Year
|
EZ Living Interiors Sandyford, Co. Dublin
|
|
Pharmacy of the Year
|
Ryan’s Pharmacy Rathangan, Co. Kildare
|
|
AGRI – DIY Store of the Year
|
Atkins Bandon, Co. Cork
|
|
Garden Centre of the Year
|
Windyridge Nurseries & Garden Centre, Co. Dublin
|
|
Electronic & Tech Store of the Year
|
Three Ireland Dundrum, Co. Dublin
|
|
Supermarket of the Year
|
Garvey’s Supervalu Listowel, Co. Kerry
|
|
Retail Supplier of the Year
|
CBE, Co. Mayo
|