Grassicks Mini Perth claimed the Mini Retailer of the Year award as the BMW Group-owned brand celebrated the successes of its franchised network in a COVID-impacted 12 months of trading.

Mini hosted its annual retailer awards virtually with the help of comedian and stand-up comic Alan Carr and rewarded the efforts of its 131-strong dealership network with awards across nine categories.

The network's Perth dealership, which was acquired by Eastern Western Group in 2017 but still trades as Grassicks Mini, claimed the ‘Retailer of the Year’ award for the second time, after first lifting the trophy for their performance in 2017.

Grassicks Mini from a challenging year as the brand’s top performer across nine key areas, including: new car sales; used car sales (for which they were also category winners); profitability and customer satisfaction.

Grassicks Mini franchise director, Magnus Wang, said: “2020 was without doubt one of the most challenging years in automotive retail we’ve ever faced, so for Grassicks Mini to be crowned Retailer of the Year it means even more.

“It is fantastic recognition for the team’s determination and hard work and we are extremely proud.

“In 2021 we’re looking forward to focusing another year of efforts on selling exciting new Mini products and looking after our customers.”

The event’s other category winners were:

• Dick Lovett Hungerford, Retail Sales
• JKC Coleraine, for Customer Service and Aftersales
• Berry Retailer Group for Corporate Sales.
• Sytner Oldbury and Rybrook Worcester, Financial Services
• Cotswold Hereford, enquiry management
• Bowker Motor Group, marketing

David George, Mini brand director for the UK and Ireland, said: “As we begin 2021, the brand’s twentieth year since the launch of the modern Mini, it’s important for us to look back and recognise our retailers’ outstanding achievements in 2020.

“Mini Electric was a shining star for us in this difficult year, and at the other end of the spectrum we welcomed, and promptly sold out of, the Mini John Cooper Works GP.”

Mini saw its UK new car registrations decline 28.9%, from 64,884 to 46,109, as the COVID-19 pandemic closed showrooms last year – prompting a 29.4% sector-wide decline.

George added: “In true Mini spirit, our retailers met the year’s challenges head-on, taking every opportunity, whether servicing key workers in lockdown 1.0 or reacting to the swell of demand when showroom doors opened again.

“Their tireless efforts mean we maintained our record market share of 2.8% – a fantastic achievement.”