For growth and innovation.

Aldi has been crowned the 2016 eftpos Retailer of the Year at the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Award held on Wednesday morning at the Melbourne Grand Hyatt.

The award recognises Aldi’s growth, influence and market leading policies, which have seen the supermarket chain challenge the majors in its category and beyond with the implementation of innovative sales approaches.

Run annually by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are the nation’s longest running and most prestigious retail recognition program.

Aldi

eftpos managing director, Bruce Mansfield said, “Australian retail today is not only extraordinarily competitive, but the industry is evolving at a rapid pace, with more international brands and the increasing use of technology and new channels.”

“eftpos congratulates Aldi on winning the eftpos Retailer of the Year, and all Award winners and runners up in 2016. It’s so important to recognise the effort and success of Australian retailers, large and small, and we are very pleased to be a supporter,” he said.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman added, “This year’s awards field was particularly tough, with not just the highest number of entries in the Awards’ 50 year history, but also the highest quality.”

“Retail is Australia’s largest private sector employer, and the contribution of these businesses to our economy and future cannot be understated. These winners represent the diversity of Australian retailing and the depth of talent we have in this important industry,” he said.

There were nine awards presented as part of the 2016 Awards. The full list of winners and runners up:

eftpos Retailer of the Year

Winner: Aldi

Runner up: Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

ARA Independent Retailer of the Year

Winner: Wilson Retail (Stormriders & Saltwater Wine)

Runner up: Adreno

Shop for Shops Store Fitout of the Year 1-5 Stores

Winner: The Sydney String Centre

Runner up: Eliza Blue Fashions

Shop for Shops Store Fitout of the Year 6+ Stores

Winner: Specsavers Eastland

Runner up: Jeanswest Eastland

Temando Multi-Channel Retailer of the Year

Winner: Mon Purse

Runner up: The Good Guys

Frontline Recruitment Retail Employer of the Year

Winner: Peregrine Corporation (On The Run, Smoke Box)

Runner up: Aldi

Rest Industry Super Retail Employee of the Year

Winner: Jacob Purtell, Harris Scarfe

Runner up: David Lai, Fantastic Furniture

FCB Retail HR Rising Star of the Year

Winner: Paige Willemse, Sussan Group

Pronto Software Retail Innovator of the Year

Winner: Shoes of Prey

Runner up: Just For Pets

ARA Retail Institute Retail Graduate of the Year

Winner: Lauren Dodman