Retail News South Africa

Edgars shortlisted for World Retail Awards

South African retail chain Edgars has been named as a finalist in the Emerging Market Retailer of the Year category of the inaugural World Retail Awards in London. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Barcelona, Spain, on 29 March 2007.

"We are delighted to have been short-listed as a finalist in the first-ever World Retail Awards," says Edcon's HR director, Dr Urin Ferndale. "It is a testimony to the collective expertise and the excellent teamwork by Edgars staff that we have been recognised and nominated for this prestigious award."

The World Retail Awards comprise a total of seven categories. In addition to the Emerging Retailer of the Year, the remaining six categories being contested are: Marketing Campaign of the Year, Innovative Format of the Year, Responsible Retailer of the Year, Best Use of Retail Technology, Retail Destination of the Year and a Retail Hall of Fame.

The awards have attracted several hundred entries from amongst the world's leading retailers and have been organised in association with global management consulting firm Kurt Salmon.

The principle behind them is that retail excellence is more important than just size and scale. They are being judged by some of the world's most respected retailers and industry experts and are set to become the benchmark by which retail businesses around the world wish to be measured, according to the organisers.

The organisers also report that the Emerging Market Retailer category has been one of the most popular. Other finalists in this category are: B+ Q Asia of Hong Kong, Hindustan Petroleum; India, Matahari, Indonesia; Pantaloon, India; and Shufersal in Israel.

Each category winner will be presented with a unique trophy, earn the accolade "World's Best" and be eligible to use this title in conjunction with their specific category title for marketing and other purposes.

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