Melbourne, Australia, 2017-Aug-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — Australia’s extraordinary retailers have been crowned today (3 August 2017) at the Australian Retailers Association’s (ARA) 2017 eftpos Australian Retail Awards, with Officeworks taking out the coveted eftpos Australian Retailer of the Year title.
In an exceptional field of remarkable retailers, Officeworks have grown into Australia’s largest supplier of office and stationery products. As a true category-killer, this outstanding retailer has climbed to the pinnacle of the industry, dominating the $12 billion market sector.
With this prestigious award being the hardest on record to judge, the ARA reimagined the 2017 selection process to ensure this year’s methodology was not only credible but intellectually sound.
Russell Zimmerman, ARA Executive Director, said the unique process included three pillars of in-depth research to determine the 2017 Retailer of the Year Award.
“As the retail industry’s peak representative body, it is important that we recognise and celebrate these remarkable retailers’ success on the national stage that is the 2017 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“The exceptionally high standard of submissions we received this year was a profound reminder of the vibrant passion that encapsulates the retail industry.”
eftpos Managing Director, Bruce Mansfield, said eftpos was proud to support the Awards because they recognised the extraordinary work done by the hundreds of thousands of retailers who serve Australian communities every single day.
“Retail is an exceptionally important industry because it impacts all of our daily lives,” Mr Mansfield said.
“With the rise of international marketplaces, mobile platforms and the dynamic needs of modern shoppers, it will be extraordinary Australian retailers who continue to thrive in the shifting retail landscape.”
This year’s breakfast event was held at the National Gallery of Victoria with esteemed ABC journalist Beverley O’Connor hosting the Awards. Radek Sali of Swisse also entertained the 550 guests by sharing his incredible retail success as keynote speaker.
With 10 awards up for grabs at the Awards breakfast, the 2017 winners stood out from the retail crowd in each of their categories.
Mr Zimmerman said the overarching lesson from this year’s winners is both profound and powerful as the high standard of submissions and the quality of entries to the 2017 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards proved the retail sector’s strength and resilience.
“The future prosperity of the Australian industry doesn’t lie in the challenges themselves, it lies in how we choose to embrace them to move retail forward.”
2017 eftpos ARA AUSTRALIAN RETAIL AWARDS WINNERS
EFTPOS RETAILER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: OFFICEWORKS
RUNNERS UP: DAN MURPHY’S, BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE, JB HIFI, ALDI AUSTRALIA, IKEAEFTPOS INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: THE PARTY PEOPLE
RUNNER UP: NIMBLE ACTIVEWEAR
FRONTLINE RETAIL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ALDI AUSTRALIA
RUNNER UP: PEREGRINE CORPORATION
PRONTO SOFTWARE RETAIL DISRUPTOR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AIRBNB AUSTRALIA
RUNNER UP: CRUST GOURMET PIZZA BAR
TEMANDO OMNI-CHANNEL RETAILER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: EB GAMES
RUNNER UP: PETSTOCK
SHOP-FOR-SHOPS RETAIL STORE FIT-OUT OF THE YEAR 1-5 STORE
WINNER: NIMBLE ACTIVEWEAR
RUNNER UP: LUC HOMEWARES AND DESIGNSHOP-FOR-SHOPS RETAIL STORE FIT-OUT OF THE YEAR 6+ STORE
WINNER: READINGS DONCASTER & READINGS KIDS
RUNNER UP: AMART FURNITUREREST INDUSTRY SUPER INDIVIDUAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: DEAN SALAKAS, THE PARTY PEOPLE
RUNNER UP: KELSEY SUBRITSKY, PANDORA
THE REALISE GROUP PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
WINNER: MYER
RUNNER UP: BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE
ARA RETAIL INSTITUTE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD
WINNER: HILL STREET
FCB GROUP RETAIL HR RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SHALYSSE ROMER, HUGO BOSS
2017 ARA RETAIL HALL OF FAME AWARD
WINNER: WILSON RETAIL
About the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards:
First held in the 1970s, the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are the nation’s longest running and most prestigious retail event, recognising and rewarding outstanding retail businesses, innovations, and individuals across all sectors of retail. Relaunched in 2008, the annual 2017 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards breakfast will commence on Thursday 3 August at Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria.
About the Australian Retailers Association:
Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.
For interview opportunities contact the ARA Media team on 0439 612 556 or email media@retail.org.au.
Source: Australian Retailers Association