By Patrick Avenell
SYDNEY: The nominations for the Best Retail Organisation at the 2009 ERAs have been announced, with three giants of the industry up against two of the smaller players. It is set to be a nervous night for the five finalists, each with a good chance at taking home the night’s most coveted retail prize.
Defending champions The Good Guys are back in the running, as are the 2007 winners Harvey Norman. These two icons of the industry will be having a very competitive night, with 13 Harveys stores and 10 Good Guys franchises up for the state-based retail store awards as well.
Going these two in the barriers is JB Hi-Fi, the undisputed quiet achievers of this industry. JBs have been having a very good year despite all the doom and gloom, and its CEO Richard Uechtritz was recently quoted saying the group is looking forward to benefiting for Kevin Rudd’s largesse in the coming weeks.
Also nominated for the 2009 Best Retail Organisation gong are Winning Appliances and Clive Anthonys. These two groups don’t make the headlines in the same way that Harveys, The Good Guys and JBs do, but should either of these groups take home the trophy, that situation will surely change.
The nominees for the 2009 ERA for Best Retail Organisation are: Clive Anthonys, The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and Winning Appliances.
The awards will be presented in Sydney on Friday 17 April 2009.