The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has launched the inaugural ARA Awards, celebrating excellence and innovation within the Australian retail sector.
The ARA Awards 2024, sponsored by principal partner American Express, culminates in a ceremony revealing the winners at Crown Casino in Melbourne on 19 September.
ARA will showcase the achievements of Australia’s highest performing retailers across categories, including:
- Sustainability
- People and culture
- Innovation
- Store design
- Customer experience
- Diversity, equality and inclusion
ARA CEO Paul Zahra says the groundbreaking event aims to highlight the resilience, creativity and success of retailers who have contributed to the industry’s growth in the face of challenging economic conditions.
“We’re thrilled to have this national platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our retailers, who continue to set new benchmarks during periods of great challenge and economic turbulence,” he says.
“The ARA Awards will be a night of recognition and inspiration for our sector, highlighting the leaps and strides many retailers are taking to succeed.
“There has never been a more important time to acknowledge the positive contributions retailers are making, not only to the industry – but to society and the broader economy.”
American Express Global Merchant Services Vice President and General Manager Robert Tedesco says American Express is proudly continuing its legacy of backing businesses through the inaugural ARA Awards.
“The ARA Awards will recognise the extraordinary efforts of hard-working retail operators and provide a platform for them to be applauded,” he says.
American Express, founders of the nationwide Shop Small movement, will back the Shop Small Retailer of the Year Award. Mr Tedesco says the award will celebrate a business owner who has gone “above and beyond to reinvigorate and add vibrancy to their community through their hard work”.
The ARA Awards 2024 will also celebrate other individuals, including:
- Store Manager of the Year
- Emerging Talent of the Year
- Retail Leader of the Year
Those who are interested in nominating a retailer or individual can pre-register here. Nominations will officially open in April.