Awards attract strong retail mix
SYDNEY: Apparel and accessory chain Witchery is set to join others including national menswear chain Industrie, womenswear chain Esprit and denimwear group Jeans West are among those battling to take out the top gong in the 2008 TNT Ragtrader Fashion Retailer of the Year Awards.
Now celebrating its fifth year, the awards seek to reorganise and reward the best of the best among Australia's fashion retailing elite, the awards process allows for third party nominations from leading suppliers or from individual retailers.
In all there are six awards up for grabs this year including best menswear, womenswear and childrenswear retailer as well as best under-20 chain and over-20 chain retailers and best department store.
The illustrious list of past winners include such innovators as General Pants, Target, David Jones, Harrolds, Gorman, Feathers, David Lawrence, Andiamo, Mariana Hardwick, Arthur Galan, Portmans and Peter Alexander.
Supported by a host of sponsors including naming rights supporter TNT, gold partner AMP Capital Shopping Centres and silver sponsors Trak Recruiting, Dada & Co and Kaideepeel, the awards have also attracted a host of great independents with Blondies
Dirty Pretty Things and Cactus Jam among those in the mix. Ragtrader publisher Helen Davies said some of the industry's brightest lights have agreed to stand in judgement of the lead contenders in the awards. These include Karen Van De Meer from online apparel site Style Hunter, Stephen Mahoney of Australian Wool Innovation and Glynis Traill-Nash of the Sun Herald.
In order to help separate one chain independent store from another judges will follow a strict criteria taking into account such things as first impressions, store layout, customer service, breath and depth of employee training, marketing, advertising and promotions, and business and operations. Winners of the awards will be announced during a glittering cocktail function taking place at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art on Wednesday November 26.
Tickets are on sale now for $80 plus GST. To purchase tickets get your booking form at ragtrader.com.au or contact Jessica Havard at Two De Force: 02 9281 8788 or email Jessica@twodeforce.com.au
By Tracey Porter