The National Retail Association prides itself on being the voice of modern retail.
We’re fortunate to have a membership which spans all-sized businesses, from the biggest retailers to the smallest, that is also keeping pace with the rapidly changing face of retail across a wide range of issues.
It was therefore an absolute delight to last week recognise the degree of innovation and creativity that is being shown by our members at our annual awards evening in Sydney. All finalists demonstrated that, regardless of size, retailers were fighting back against the prevailing economic headwinds to not only survive but thrive.
Retailers such as Citizen Wolf, WH Smith, Appliances Online, and Sportspower Super Warehouse have demonstrated enormous creativity in applying technology to accelerate every part of their business.
Whilst organisations such as Hanes Australia and its brands such as Bonds and Supercheap Auto were also demonstrating the kind of leadership that encourages excellence throughout the ranks, while building a generation of future retail leaders.
I want to again congratulate all winners and finalists on providing us with such a star-studded field of nominations. A full list of winners can be found at the bottom of this column.
I’d also like to recognize the work of our Chairman, Mark Brodie, who has celebrated 20 years of service to the NRA. In that time, he has made an enormous contribution to the retail sector and has helped to establish the NRA as the most representative organisation within the sector.
Mark’s retail career began in the early 1980s, before launching his own business known as Brodie’s BBQ chicken which, at its peak, had 25 restaurants. In 1999 he became Chairman of the NRA and since then has dedicated himself fully to advancing the interests of retailers right across the country.
I congratulate him on his amazing track record of service – both to the NRA and retail more broadly – and thank him for his strong leadership in that time.
Full list of award winners, 2019 Retail Awards:
Champion Awards Categories:
Celebrating businesses who lead the way in innovation, social responsibility and customer experience
Social Responsibility Champion – Dymocks
Customer Experience Champion – LUSH
StraightArrow Innovation Champion – Citizen Wolf
Retail Executive Training Champion – WH Smith Australia
Retail Awards Categories:
Celebrating the success and contributions of small, medium and larger retailers across the nation
Eftpos Online Retailer of the Year – Appliances Online
Small Retailer of the Year – The Party People Megastore
Zip Pay Medium Retailer of the Year – Sportspower Super Warehouse
Large Retailer of the Year – Bonds
Individual Awards Categories:
Recognising excellence among the trainers, professionals, managers and high achievers of retail
Franchisee of the Year – Michel’s Patisserie, Toronto, New South Wales
Rest HR Professional of the Year – Nick Shelton, Amart Furniture
Lifetime Achievement – Maree Cavaliere, NIB Charlestown
Store Manager of the Year – Jason Volp, Rebel, Toowoomba
Young Retailer –Stephen Mangion, Bonds Australia.
Young Retailer of the Year (Runner Up) – Mallory Eeles, Supercheap Auto