Supermarket giant Morrisons stormed the Retail Week Awards last night, walking away with Retailer of the Year.

The judging panel felt that turnarounds don’t come much bigger than Morrisons’ and that Dutchman Marc Bolland had successfully married the chain’s traditional strengths as a grocer with great marketing and operational practice.

In an emotional speech, former Post Office and Asda boss Allan Leighton paid tribute to Morrisons chairman Sir Ken Morrison, who retired yesterday after 55 years of service and was honoured with an award for Outstanding Contribution to Retail.

Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy scooped the Retail Leader of the Year award and Tesco also won the Consumers’ Favourite Retailer.

The other winners were:

Advertising campaign of the year: Marks & Spencer

Speciality Retailer of the year: Mothercare

Emerging retailer of the year: Joules

Customer service initiative: Currys

Store design of the year: Wyevale

Online retailer of the year: Asos.com

Product innovation of the year: B&Q

Innovative Employer of the year: The Co-operative Group

Technology initiative of the year: Argos

CSR Award: The Cooperative Group

International Retailer of the Year: Inditex

Shopping location of the Year: Princesshay, Exeter.