The Convenience Retail Awards, 2024, have recognised the on-campus supermarket at the University of Warwick as food-to-go store of the year, for a second year in a row.

With a student population of nearly 29,000 and thousands of staff members, the campus is almost a town within a town, with the Rootes grocery store at the heart of it, still a fan favourite on campus after 25 years.

One of the reasons the store won this award was its innovative approach to meal deals and promotions, recognising the importance of value for money. A third of its space is dedicated to food to go with an extensive selection of international cuisines – from Asian and Korean to Indian and halal options.

The store manager, Fabio Finocchiaro, has previously won accolades including Store Manager of the Year, 2023.

Upon receiving the manager of the year award, he said ''I do pride myself in being able to find different products to put on the shelf and something that I think would suit the different university students that are from all over the world and that's the beauty.''

Rootes Grocery Store, in partnership with Costcutter, sits in the heart of the University’s campus as one of 18 cafes and restaurants. It boasts a range of different products, offering an unusual collection of produce from University merchandise to an in-house bakery and homemade curries.

The store’s approach to waste management and sustainability reflects its commitment to responsible business practices. By utilising the ‘Too Good to Go’ app and offering daily ‘Magic Bags’ containing unsold food to go items at discounted prices, the store minimises food wastage while providing affordable options to customers. Recent investments in refrigeration doors and an electric van for deliveries further support sustainability efforts and reduce wastage.