.jpg)
Fashion footwear etailer Shoes of Prey has been crowned as the inaugural Kogan Australian Online Retailer of the Year at the 2013 ARA Australian Retail Awards this morning.
ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said the online retailer, established in 2009, clinched the title through its “high quality submission that highlighted the organisation as a leader within the online retail sector”.
Hearing aid etailer Blamey Saunders Hears was named runner-up, from finalists which also included Beginning Boutique, Sneaking Duck and Ausmode.
“Shoes of Prey are a
ground-breaking website where shoppers can design their perfect
shoes online. Using the unique online 3D Shoe Designer, customers
choose the shape, colour and height of their shoes; their designs
are then handmade within six weeks and delivered free worldwide,”
Zimmerman said.
“This retailer demonstrated to our
expert judging panel a strong track record in building their
business through superior customer service, cutting-edge marketing
strategies and an innovative approach to pureplay online
retailing.”
Shoes of Prey has successfully combined online retailing and bespoke fashion in recent years and joined forces with David Jones earlier this year to launch its first custom concept store, as reported on ragtrader.com.au.
The etailer also inked a partnership with fellow fashion etailer The Iconic in May 2013, to launch the Best.Shoe.Ever online competition.
The advances follow a cash coup in June 2012, which saw Shoes of Prey raise $3 million from a raft of investors to boost its business.
Zimmerman added that this year’s awards were “more competitive than ever”.
Other fashion and accessory retailers which took out awards included Specsavers, which won Visa Australian Retailer of the Year and BDO Australian Retail Employer of the Year, and Specialty Fashion Group, which won eBay Inc Australian Multichannel Retailer of the Year.
The Kogan Australian Online Retailer of the Year award is a new award added to the line-up of the 2013 ARA Australian Retail Awards, in addition to other categories, to reflect the changing nature of the retail sector and provide avenues for individuals and online retailers to be recognised.
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) was established in 1903 and acts as the peak industry body for approximately 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.