Best under 20 chain store - Finalists Tarocash, Esprit, Country Road and Portmans

2007 has been a huge growth year for menswear retailer Tarocash. Reportedly boasting year-on-year growth of around 15 per cent, the mass-market brand spent the early part of the year opening new stores and the later part consolidating its new ownership structure alongside fellow menswear brands YD and Connor.

Esprit has used the past 12 months to return to its roots. Having realigned its Australian operations to the brand's global business model, the multi-national retailer set about introducing revamped product collections, opening new stores and releasing a targeted marketing campaign - which included an appearance at L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival - in an attempt to drive consumer awareness.

Listed apparel retailer Country Road has returned to the fast lane. Having launched aggressive expansion and refurbishment plans only last month, the brand stepped back from its wholesale operations to make a concerted effort on its retail arm and concessions. Having introduced new sleep and fitness collections, it now intends further expanding its product categories.

Last year's winner Portmans has continued to strive for success repositioning itself as what it terms a "fashion authority". The move, supported with a massive television, print, instore and online marketing campaign, coincided with the brand's announcement that model Miranda Kerr will remain as the face of the Just Group-owned retailer for another 12 months. In terms of financial success Portmans counted for 18.5 per cent of the Just Group's total revenue and generated the highest revenue per store of all its brands.