Retailers in Mayo, big and small, in food, footwear, fashion, pharmacy - or any other category - are now invited to submit their entry for the FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2009 just launched.
Established by industry body, Retail Excellence Ireland, and sponsored by FBD Insurance, these awards – now in their 12th year - are the largest of their kind in Ireland and seek to promote and recognise high standards of excellence in Irish retailing.
Chief Executive of Retail Excellence Ireland, David Fitzsimons, said: “What makes our awards different from any other in the retail industry is the fact that we accept applications from any retailer in the country, regardless of their size, ownership structure or retail category.
“Times are tough for retailers so it is even more important that we come together as an industry to recognise and applaud those companies who are still continuing to achieve success through their innovation, dedication and hard work. Entering is also good for employee morale because it creates a will to win environment in store,” he said.
A panel of 10 independent judges will assess the applicants, according to set criteria, in order to select Ireland’s top 50 retail stores and the overall winners in each individual category. To get to this third and final stage, a mystery customer will visit each entered store to complete a full visit report and narrow the selection to the top 100 stores whereby a fully trained assessor will conduct a thorough store assessment for use by the panel.
The award categories are: National store of the year; Best store – small, medium, large, extra large, superstore; Manager of the year; Supplier of the year; Shopping centre of the year; Company of the year – best employer; business growth; industry leader; internationalisation.
The awards will culminate in a gala dinner, to be hosted by Miriam O’Callaghan, at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on Saturday November 7. For full details and to download or submit an entry form, retailers should log on to: www.weloveretail.ie
All entries must be received no later than June 30.
Una Sinnott 03/06/2009
