APCO directors, Robert, Peter, Ron and Margaret Anderson, along with the APCO Wangaratta retailers Brett and Karen Anderson, have been stunned to have their Wangaratta service station named the Asia–Pacific Convenience Store of the Year by NACS.

APCO is a member of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), the peak body for convenience retailing in Australia, who in turn is a member of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) based in the United States, the largest and oldest representative for convenience retailers globally.

NACS segment the global retailers into two zones – the Asia Pacific region and the European regions.

The Asia Pacific region includes all of Asia, India, Australia and New Zealand.

The AACS runs an annual competition to identify the latest in store formats, retail innovation and brand development to identify the best Australian convenience retailer.

The judging criteria is aligned with the NACS Global criteria to ensure consistency of the process.

In March 2022, APCO Wangaratta was awarded the Australian Convenience Retailer of the Year award, which automatically enters them into the NACS Asia Pacific Convenience Retailer of the Year Award.

The awards were held at the NACS APAC Convenience Retail Summit in Singapore on July 20 with more than 15 entries into this award category, and the judging panel selected three finalists.

Australian retailers were strongly represented with two of the three finalists positions.

Store owner Brett said the directors are in shock.

"We like to provide a good service to our locals and the people who pass through Wangaratta, but we never dreamed we'd be named the best convenience store in Victoria or even Australia, never mind the Asia–Pacific," he said.

Peter Anderson agreed.

"We are extremely proud to have accepted this award," he said.

"Brett and Karen are a big part in this because without their passion it would not have happened.

"But it is also the team; everybody at head office, retail partners and the last few franchisees we have has played a part."

Robert Anderson was equally proud of the team.

"It is a testament to the collective effort of everyone to share a vision and then bring this to life, and importantly this is a well–deserved award for Brett and Karen, our retail partners that pride themselves and are passionate on providing an incredible customer experience."

Theo Foukkare, chief executive of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, said it was a welcome recognition of the quality and value that small retail outlets bring to their communities.

''We are thrilled for APCO Wangaratta," he said.

"It's a great honour for them and a terrific recognition of all their hard work.

"Australian convenience stores provide a vital service across the country.

"These are small businesses that work hard to bring choice and convenience to local people.

"They often keep their doors open in the most challenging conditions, and this has particularly been the case over the past two years, so it is wonderful to see this award and it's something the entire sector can celebrate."