The National Retail Association (NRA) has awarded Australia’s best retailers across all levels and categories of the industry at its 2022 National Retail Awards, with Kmart winning the best large retailer of the year.
Coming together for the first time since 2019, retailers across the country gathered at the Gold Coast for the gala event.
The judges included NRA’s now former-CEO Dominique Lamb, Monash University senior lecturer of marketing Dr Jason Pallant, Click Frenzy CFO Nathan Brown, Google strategic partner manager Tora Brophy, as well as non-executive directors Francine Ereira and Peter Knock.
Interim CEO Lindsay Carroll said the awards reflect the broader contributions of the retail sector, which, according to Caroll, was one of the most significant industries that carried Australia through the pandemic.
“Our members represent modern Australian retail,” Carroll said. “The National Retail Awards are an opportunity to showcase the amazing and hardworking talent that exists across the sector.
“Off the back of a challenging two-year period, it has never been more important to recognise and celebrate the resilience of both front-line services and various levels of innovation and evolution.”
As well as Kmart taking the top spot for large retailer of the year, surpassing Winning Group, Spendless Shoes and QBD Books, op shop Vinnies won sustainability champion of the year award.
Vinnies overtook Super Retail Group’s subsidiary Macpac, as well as Salvos stores and health and wellness brand Zea.
This year’s awards also marked the 50th year of the Young Retailer of the Year Award.
“[This] is a significant milestone for the industry as well as all of the young people framing its future and making way for more young people to consider a career in retail,” Carroll said.
“The 2022 Young Retailer of the Year will travel to Barcelona and be profiled on the world stage at the World Retail Congress.”
The 2022 winner of this award went to Stephen Poole, who is the retail operations manager at AG Lego certified stores.
Carroll continued, saying the retail industry plays a huge role in Australia’s economy, employment and social structure.
“The NRA is dedicated to connecting retailers for the success of the industry now and into the future. Congratulations to all of our winners, finalists and nominees.”
Full list of winners
Sustainability Champion of the Year – Vinnies Victoria
Innovation Champion of the Year – Miss Amara
Large Retailer of the Year – Kmart
Medium Retailers of the Year – Personalised Favours
Small Retailer of the Year – Zea
Online Retailer of the Year – Lyres Spirit Co
Emerging Retailer of the Year – MedCart Australia
Hospitality Gamechanger of the Year – Betty’s Burgers
People and Culture Champion of the Year – Amart Furniture
Store Manager of the Year – Andrew Jarman, Surf Dive n Ski
HR Professional of the Year – Emily Van Wessem, Mad Mex
Young Retailer of the Year – Stephen Poole, AG Lego Certified Stores