The world is still recovering from the night of nights, the Oscars of the retail world, the annual Sydney StarTrack Online Retailer Industry Awards (ORIA’s). Ok, ‘the world’ might be an exaggeration, but I can’t help but get excited!
The ORIA’s honour the champions of Australasia’s online retail community and recognise the hard work, dedication and innovation of retailers from Australia and New Zealand. The annual event attracted over 700 attendees to the Dockside Pavilion, on the scenic Sydney Harbour. Hosted by TV personality and founder of Tribe, Jules Lund, the night was a raving success.
The judging panel this year included our very own Alita Harvey-Rodriguez; Grant Arnott, publisher of Power Retail; Andy Powell, managing director at Agile Commerce; James Webber, non-executive director at NORA; Ben Franzi, general manager, e-commerce platforms and marketplaces at Australia Post and other reputable names.
In an interview with Power Retail Alita quotes,
“The quality of candidates was really exciting this year, as was the innovation of start-up retailers. Australia is in a great place in terms of grasping the opportunities online. We’ve still got a long way to go, but people are open to learning and are happy to admit what they don’t know. That’s really empowering!”
“Bigger retailers need to step up in the online space to see how they’re competing with agile start-ups. It’s these agile startups that are changing the face of retail. If the incumbents don’t adapt their plans they will get overtaken by new players that better understand the millennial market,” she said.
Appliances Online took home the ultimate award of Online Retailer of the Year and they didn’t stop there, also taking home Best Pure Play and an Industry Recognition Award (John Winning) on top of being inducted into the ORIA’s Hall of Fame.
In the lead-up to the big night the annual Online Retailer exhibition attracted huge crowds of budding retailers keen to discover the latest business-friendly tech. A highlight of the expo being the high-tech Future Room in which IE Tech in collaboration with Australia’s largest golf retailer; Drummond Golf, showcased how tech is going to revolutionise window shopping and the fitting room experience.
Milk It was there on both days to chat about digital marketing with some new and old faces. We were also part of the very successful kick-starter workshop, attracting a room was full of eager startup retailers with innovative product ideas and offerings along with veteran retailers, keen to expand their knowledge and take their online business to the next level.
Appliances Online didn’t steal the whole show, there were many other notable winners on the night!
And the winners are (drumroll please).
Best pure play: Appliances online
Best new start-up: Disrupt sports
Best small independent: Costumes.com.au
Best multi-channel retailer: Harvey Norman
Best in-store initiative: Mon Purse
Best Pop-Up Experience: The daily edited
Best Online Retail Marketing: Nourished Life
Best site optimisation and design initiative : TinyMe
Best Mobile Commerce Site/Application: Booktopia
Best Social Commerce Initiative: Mecca Cosmetica
Best Customer Service: Birds Nest
Best International Conquer: Kikki K
Best Bootstrapped Growth Initiative: Mon Purse
Industry Recognition Award: John Winning Appliances Online
Hall of Fame: Shoes of Pray & Appliances Online
People’s Choice Award for Small Business: Beserk
People Choice Award: Catch of the Day
And taking home the oscar (Online Retailer of The Year): Appliances Online
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists on a great year in retail. We are already excited for next year. Keep kicking goals online retailers!!