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SA ARA Retail Awards winners announced - Flourish and The Reject Shop win state honours

Home and giftware retailer Flourish and Kate Cocks (The Reject Shop) scooped the state’s top honours in the 2008 ARA Retail Awards when they were named the 2008 SA Independent Retailer of the Year and 2008 SA Young Retailer of the Year respectively.

Home and giftware retailer Flourish and Kate Cocks (The Reject Shop) scooped the state’s top honours in the 2008 ARA Retail Awards when they were named the 2008 SA Independent Retailer of the Year and 2008 SA Young Retailer of the Year respectively.

Jackie Leo owner of Hyde Park’s Flourish emerged victorious in the face of strong competition from runner-up Murray Bridge Newsagency & Toyworld.

25 year old Kate Cocks, Store Manager of The Reject Shop’s Colannades store, started with The Reject Shop as a casual shop-assistant in 1999 and since then has shown commitment to establishing a career in retail by completing accredited training in retail management.

In a competition closely watched by industry insiders and the business community alike, the SA Young Retailer of the Year and Independent Retailer of the Year will now go head-to-head with other regional winners in their respective categories to take out the national titles. The 2008 ARA Retail Award national winners will be announced on Tuesday 12 August 2008 in Sydney as part of the National Retail Forum.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said the new ARA Retail Awards Program was the first and only national awards program celebrating Australian retailing and was an example of the peak body’s national focus and commitment to representing the diverse retail sector.

“The ARA retail awards program is designed to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the growth and development of their businesses and their contributions towards retailing right across Australia,” Evans said.

Sponsored by the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, the ARA Retail Awards will be presented for the following national categories: Independent Retailer, ARA Retail Innovation, Young Retailer and Retailer of the Year.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

For interview opportunities with ARA Executive Director Richard Evans contact:
Kath Christie, ARA Policy & Media T: 0422 293 5344 E: kath.christie@retail.org.au

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