The short-list revealed.

The finalists in the National Retail Association’s (NRA’s) 2016 Rewards for Excellence have been named. The Awards acknowledge and reward thought leaders and promote the diversity of viable career opportunities.

NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said this year’s judging panel found difficulty in narrowing down the field of individual and business entrants in the 13 categories: Franchisee of the Year, Small Retailer of the Year, Medium Retailer of the Year, Large Retailer of the Year, Multichannel Retailer of the Year, Employer of the Year, Training Excellence, Innovation Excellence, Sustainability Excellence, Safety Excellence, Young Retailer of the Year, and HR Practitioner of the Year.

NRA awards

The CEO of the Year and Supreme Retailer of the Year will be announced at the Gala Dinner.

“This year’s nominees were incredibly impressive, from small businesses right through to some of the biggest national and international retail giants,” Lamb said.

“Congratulations are in order to all our finalists, and we are looking forward to announcing our 2016 winners at our Rewards for Excellence Rio-themed Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Sydney on September 14,” she added,

Myer has been shortlisted for a number of categories and commenting on this achievement was executive general manager for stores, Tony Sutton, who told Appliance Retailer: “Myer is thrilled with our nominations for the National Retail Association’s 2016 Rewards for Excellence. Being named as finalists in the Large Retailer of the Year, Innovation Excellence, and Young Retailer of the Year categories is wonderful recognition for the talented and capable team working hard to deliver New Myer. These nominations demonstrate the progress we are making to bring the love of shopping to life for our customers and we are looking forward to the award winners announcement in September”.

Large Retailer of the Year Award Finalists:

  • Boost Juice Bars
  • EB Games Australia
  • LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
  • Myer
  • Supercheap Auto

Multichannel Retailer of the Year Award Finalists:

  • EB Games Australia
  • Freedom
  • Kit and Ace
  • Officeworks
  • Supercheap Auto

Innovation Excellence Award Finalists:

  • Baskin-Robbins (Palm Oasis Ventures)
  • Boost Juice Bars
  • Kit and Ace
  • Myer
  • Ocean Grove Home Timber and Hardware

Safety Excellence Award Finalists:

  • City Beach
  • Eagle Boys
  • Harris Scarfe
  • Jeanswest
  • Supercheap Auto

Young Retailer of the Year Award Finalists include, but not limited to:

  • Myer online merchandise officer, Laura Ambrose
  • Super Retail Group applications support specialist for physical store, Alex Bray
  • Harris Scarfe campaign coordinator, Alexandra Dowling
  • Harris Scarfe assistant planner of bathroom, Adrian Mineo
  • Target store manager, Marianne Mylonas
  • Best & Less store manager, Biljana Omcikus
  • Best & Less store manager, Hannah Rafferty