Tesco was voted Britain's best by both consumers and industry experts at The Grocer Gold Awards this week as it walked off with a triumvirate of trophies.

The UK's biggest retailer beat strong competition from Waitrose to win Grocer of the Year, voted for by members of the financial community, media, non-food retailers and major suppliers. It was also declared Britain's Favourite Supermarket in a poll of 10,000 shoppers by ACNielsen for The Grocer.

Tesco also pipped last year's winner Ocado to pick up Best Online Retailer at the sell-out awards dinner at the Dorchester Hotel in London, which was sponsored by Deloitte, GS1UK, Headcount, Buena Vista Home Entertainment and Disney Consumer Products.

A delighted Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco, picked up the awards. He said: "This is a great recognition of the brilliant job all our staff do for our customers. All three awards are fantastic honours but we are particularly proud to be named Britain's Favourite Supermarket for the second year running as it is voted for by UK shoppers."

Waitrose was a close second in Grocer of the Year, beating Tesco when it came to customer focus and commitment to corporate social responsibility. It did, however, win Best Own Label Range for As Good As Going Out as well as The Grocer 33 award for availability.

Zelda Cassie, Waitrose buyer for chilled prepared foods, said: "We worked to create a brand that had its own personality combined with the high standards of quality and traceability."

Spar retailer Tates was judged to be best in the business in the Independent Retail Chain category while Bestway picked up Best Wholesaler.

The competition for Best Branded Supplier was fierce and for the first time senior buyers awarded gold to joint winners: InBev and P&G. Stuart MacFarlane, MD of take home at InBev, said: "The best judge of whether you're good at what you do is our customers."

Meanwhile Giovanni Ciserani, vice-president of P&G UK, said: "It's a great honour because of the high competition from some of the best companies."

McBride regained Best Own Label Supplier from Arla. Commercial director Colin Stevens said: "We have put in a lot of effort in a difficult trading environment. All the staff at our six factories will be very emotional about this."winners of The grocer gold awards 2006

Joint Branded Supplier:

InBev UK



Joint Branded Supplier:

Procter & Gamble



Own Label Supplier:

McBride



Own Label Range:

Waitrose As Good As Going Out



Branded New Product Development:

Hovis Invisible Crust

Consumer Initiative:

Sainsbury's Active Kids



Business Initiative:

Asda's local sourcing



Britain's Favourite Supermarket:

Tesco



Independent Retail Chain:

Tates



Wholesaler:

Bestway Cash & Carry

The G33 award for availability:

Waitrose



The G33 award for customer service:

Morrisons



The G33 award for price:

Asda



Online Retailer:

Tesco



Grocer of the Year:

Tesco