Aldi pipped for Retailer of the Year Award, grabs innovation consolation
Country Road, Aldi and independent retailer Allspares and Bearings were lat night announced as national winners of the 2009 ARA Australian Retail Awards.
Clothing outlet Country Road took out the retail industry’s top honour as 2009 Australian Retailer of the Year, edging out Aldi (Food, drink and grocery 2009 Australian Retailer of the Year), L’Occitane (Speciality retailing 2009 Australian Retailer of the Year) and Subway (Restaurants, cafés and takeaway 2009 Australian Retailer of the Year).
Despite missing out on the prestigious top award, Aldi didn’t leave empty handed. The discount grocer was recognised with the 2009 Australian Retail Innovation of the Year for their “leadership and innovation in unit and national pricing, store design, product packaging and maternity leave policy”.”Aldi is consistently the first Australian grocery retailer to adopt unique strategies that benefit the community including consumers and their own staff. We’re delighted to recognise their outstanding leadership and innovation,” ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said.
Mr Zimmerman said Country Road claimed the major award for their successful repositioning as a fashionable and accessible brand for the younger consumer, with a two-tiered loyalty program well received by consumers.Allspares and Bearings received the other major award – the 2009 Australian Independent Retailer of the Year.
