By Sarah Falson
SYDNEY: The finalists for the Best Product of the Year and the Best Supplier of the Year awards in the 2007 Electrical Retailing Awards (ERAs) have been announced, with the winners set to be revealed tonight at a black-tie awards ceremony in Sydney.
Almost 300 people will gather tonight from 6:30 at the Sofitel Wentworth hotel ballroom to witness the results, with finalists in each category battling it out for the top spot at the second annual ERA awards.
The finalists for the Best Product of the Year come from six suppliers, including Sony, Panasonic, LG, Fisher & Paykel, Dyson, De’Longhi and JVC.
The finalists for this award are: Sony Bravia 40-inch LCD TV (KDL40X2000), LG 42-inch LCD TV (42LC2DR), Panasonic DVD Recorder HD with digital tuner (DMREX75), JVC Everio HDD camcorder (MG505), Dyson Handheld Vac (DC16YT), F&P Aquasmart washing machine (WL80T65) and De’Longhi Primadonna espresso machine (ESAM6600).
The finalists for the Best Supplier of the Year are: Electrolux Home Products, Fisher & Paykel, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony.
The finalists for both awards were nominated by a cross section of electrical retailers from the major buying groups in Australia.
The awards are two of four major awards to be announced tonight, along with Best Retail Store of the Year and Best Retail Group.
The ERA Awards combine the efforts of the electrical retailing industry’s leading trade publication – Appliance Retailer – as well as the industry’s leading data provider – GfK Australia – in conjunction with a national judging panel representing a cross section of the industry’s leading retailers and the major suppliers and manufacturers.