Durban retailers in the running for the Revolution

Mohini Gopal, owner of Keddah (Centre) receives an award in the Homeware Category from Mike Rodel (left) and Adrian Raw (right)

“The 24 retailers are the first regional winners in OMIGPI's inaugural Retail Revolution awards,” says Mike Rodel, Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments regional general manager. “They will compete for national recognition against retailers operating in 28 categories in centres across South Africa."

Mike Rodel says that the Retail Revolution awards recognise outstanding performance across a broad spectrum. "They honour those retailers who have excelled in the last financial year through their exceptional trading densities, those who have shown a commitment to sustainability and the environment, those who have displayed service excellence, and also those with a flair for visual appeal and innovation."

In the respective categories, the regional winners from Gateway Theatre of Shopping were:

• Men's wear: Lacoste
  
• Women's wear: 888
  
• Children's wear: Looky There
  
• Unisex: Brands Unlimited
  
• Accessories: Froggie
  
• Convenience service: Cobblers
  
• Department stores: Clicks
  
• AV/electronics and leisure: Govan Mani
  
• Entertainment: Cum Books
  
• Fast food: Steers & Debonairs
  
• Restaurants: Cape Town Fish Market
  
• Supermarket: Hyperama
  
• Health and beauty: Shampoo
  
• Homeware: Keddah
  
• Jewellery: Cherry Design
  
• Specialist category: The Hobby Specialist

The Hobby Specialist won the 'Most improved performing store' award; Cherry Design got the 'Top performance' award and Orobello scooped the 'Top newcomer performance' award.

Matrix won the 'Top performing retail merchandising unit' award; Max Institute of Fashion Art received the awards for the 'Best design' and 'Visual merchandise'; the 'Tween and teen choice' award went to Mr Price and the 'Environmental commitment' award went to Woolworths.

They will all compete for the national awards with retailers from Cavendish Square and Cavendish Connect, Cape Town; Cascades Shopping Centre, Pietermaritzburg; Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Pretoria; Menlyn Retail Park, Pretoria; Riverside Mall, Nelspruit; The Zone @ Rosebank, Johannesburg; and Vincent Park Shopping Centre, East London.

Collectively, the centres attract more than 100 million shopper visits a year.

The national winners will be announced in August at a two-day conference with a focus on retail innovations and trends.