Highly Commended - Sydney Street
INFO BOX
STORE: Sydney Street
OWNER: Robert and Janet Partington
ESTABLISHED: 1990
STORE TYPE: Womenswear boutique
NUMBER OF STORES: Two
LOCATION: Both located in Burnside Village Shopping Centre, Portrush Road, Glenside SA
LABELS: Verge, JAG, Bonds, Jump, Yarra Trail, Baker Finch, Cross, Gordon Smith, Re-Launch, Philosophy, Michael Ridley and Duchamp
National winner of the 2004 Ragtrader Retailer of the Year award for best independent retailer, Sydney Street impressed judges again this year with outstanding customer service and high levels of staff training.
The retailer has also enhanced its marketing initiatives - with the appointment of a local public relations company to encourage press coverage - and launched a range of Sydney Street "gifts with purchase" to enhance brand awareness among its customers.
This has undoubtedly contributed to the growth of the store's database of "qualified customers" from 4500 to 6000. Renowned as a specialist in 40-plus women's clothing, Sydney Street has also begun targeting younger customers with a select range of Bonds casual wear and vintage style labels including Boo Radley.
A career spanning 40 years of fashion retailing has given owner Robert Partington - who buys for the store - a strong instinct for the "wow factor".
Customers also like Sydney Street's retail experience, he says.
"The department stores might carry the same labels as us, but shoppers keep coming back to us because they prefer the level of service we give."