PETstock have been crowned this year’s 2018 eftpos National Retailer of the Year today at the Australian Retailers Association’s (ARA) 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards.

The 100% Australian, family owned retailer was recognised for their progressive leadership within the industry, inspiring their peers and exhibiting significant long-term contributions to the longevity and sustainability of the industry. Acknowledging the increasing competition in the industry, PETstock have expanded its operations with an impressive network of over 140 retail sites and 1,800 team members across Australia and New Zealand.

PETstock – 2018 eftpos National Retailer of the Year

Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA, said the ARA received a high standard of nominations this year, and the 2018 award winners truly encapsulated the authentic characteristics required to triumph in the industry.

“As online and global markets continue to challenge the retail industry, the variety of small, medium and large retailers capturing this year’s award titles showcases the diverse and extraordinary talent we have in Australian retail,” Zimmerman said.

“Every year the retail awards judging process gets harder, and this year’s winners are no exception as these remarkable retailers truly are a testament to the vibrant and progressive industry we are in today.”

Russell Zimmerman, Executive Director of the ARA

Livinia Nixon, Channel 9 television presenter, hosted the Awards breakfast which not only celebrated accomplishments produced in the retail sphere, but also asked the 500 guests to think beyond the shopfront.

The ARA appointed a panel of esteemed judges to conduct the first awards analysis. The panel included Bernie Brookes AM, Adjunct Industry Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology, Camille Reed, Founder of Australian Circular Fashion (ACF), Rupert Deans, Founder of augmented reality platform Plattar, Radinck van Vollenhoen, Country Manager of Stocard, and Warwick Ponder, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at eftpos Australia.

The two most sought-after retail awards, the 2018 eftpos National Retailer of the Year Award and the 2018 The Realise Group Excellence in Customer Experience Award, experienced a second round of evaluation conducted by The Realise Group, a customer experience measurement agency, to determine the winners of each award. Bernie Brookes said this year’s winners are the driving force propelling the industry forward.

“With the continual influence technology plays in the retail sector, the 2018 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Award winners represent the outstanding leadership and innovative qualities required to succeed in a thriving and competitive industry,” Brookes said.

“This national retail Awards program recognises the retailers who continue to shift the retail realm forward, and it was a pleasure to be involved in such a prestigious industry event.”

With numerous prominent figures attending the Awards breakfast held at Myer Mural Hall in Melbourne, the 500 guests were also graced with the presence of Naomi Simson, founder of online experience retailer, RedBalloon. Naomi shared her phenomenal retail success with the retail audience, addressing the challenges and opportunities which continue to arise in the retail sector.

eftpos Managing Director, Stephen Benton, said eftpos is proud to support these awards because they recognise the extraordinary work that is done by the hundreds of thousands of retailers who serve Australian communities every single day.

“Retail is an exceptionally important industry because it impacts all of our daily lives and is the barometer of our economy. These Awards provide an opportunity to recognise the contribution of these businesses and the people who run them,” Benton said.

In an exceptional field of remarkable retailers, the 2018 retail winners truly captivated the audience, and the ARA look forward to seeing the next generation of retail pioneers at next year’s Awards.