Over 1,400 attendees at last week's 10th World Retail Congress at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai celebrated the winners of World Retail Awards 2016..
“The World Retail Awards are an integral part of the World Retail Congress as they set the benchmark for recognizing excellence and highlighting outstanding accomplishment within the industry,” Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Hamad Buamim said. “The awards celebrate the innovation demonstrated by their recipients, particularly now, at a time when the market is volatile. The recipients have met the challenges they face with inventive solutions and serve as inspiration to all of us in the global retail community.”
The winner In the Future Retail Challenge category was Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York. The prize for best cross channel consumer experience was awarded to China’s GOME Electrical Appliances Holding Limited while London’s John Lewis was recognized for holiday advertising; the U.K.’s Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics garnered the title of Responsible Retailer of the Year and China’s Chengdu branch of Fang Suo Commune won the store design prize.
San Francisco's California’s Eight Inc. won for innovation and creativity; Julie Stevanya of Australian firm Stylerunner was named young retail entrepreneur; T.J. Maxx/The TJX Companies Inc. garnered Retailer of the Year designation and Aditya Birla Retail Ltd. of Mumbai was honored for “transformation and reinvention.”
An outstanding leadership award was presented to Gordon Campbell of SPAR International of the Netherlands.
“This year’s finalists and winners are the most diverse we have seen for range of companies, sectors and countries,” World Retail Congress Chairman Ian McGarrigle said. “It underlines the strength of retail around the world. We have seen many great ideas and innovations that are helping transform retail and create great retailers and customer experiences. Congratulations to all this year’s winners.”