Winning service makes Lotto store No1 in NZ

PASSIONATE: Aramoho Mags & Lotto owners Garry and Wendy McElwain with staff members Tanya McCrea (left), Donna Burns (second from right) and Lisa Sturzaker. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY 210813WCBRCLOTTO02

A passion for what they do has proved to be the winning formula for Aramoho Mags & Lotto.

The shop, owned by Garry and Wendy McElwain in the Aramoho shopping centre, has won Lotto's annual Game On award.

The award is a retailer incentive and is limited to one retailer per year, Mrs McElwain said.

Stores are measured on customer service, store presentation, and performance in quarterly challenges issued by Lotto head office.

"There are more than 1250 Lotto outlets in the country, so this is a really big deal for us. It's pretty fantastic in our books," she said.

And it's the third time the store has won the award.

Mrs McElwain said it was all about passion.

"We're passionate about what we do. We know our community, and they know us."

Mr McElwain said customers hadn't been told about the win yet.

They hoped to have a special celebration with staff members "but we haven't decided what we want to do yet".

Mr McElwain said in the 12 years he and his wife had owned the shop they had sold at least nine first division Lotto winning tickets.

Their single biggest prize was $8.6 million.