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Supercheap Auto revs up retail recognition - 2008 ARA retail awards winners announced

SuperCheap Auto and Camera House and have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at the prestigious 2008 ARA Retail Awards announced last night at the Argyle Venues at the Rocks, Sydney.

SuperCheap Auto and Camera House and have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at the prestigious 2008 ARA Retail Awards announced last night at the Argyle Venues at the Rocks, Sydney.

Other category winners were Bungendore Wood Works Gallery (NSW) named the 2008 Australian Independent Retailer of the Year and the 2008 ARA Retail Innovation Award went to IGA.

Supercheap Auto took out the retail industry’s top honour when they were crowned the 2008 Australian Retailer of the Year. Founders Reg and Hazel Rowe opened Supercheap Auto’s first store in 1974 from the modest earnings of their home-based mail order business. Today Supercheap Auto is thriving with 250 stores across Australia and New Zealand, specialising in automotive parts and accessories and stocking a range of tools and accessories for the DIY home handyman, as well as products for the garage and shed. Supercheap Auto Group (incorporating Supercheap Auto, Boating Camping and Fishing (BCF) and Goldcross Bikes) is now the seventh largest retailing company in Australia by market capitalisation.

Camera House’s Wollongong Trainee Manager Ian Sackett was also recognised as the 2008 Young Retailer of the Year. The 22 year old Ian Sackett started with Camera House on a 12 month traineeship in 2003 and since then has shown commitment to establishing a career in retail by completing accredited training in retail operations.

Bungendore Wood Works Gallery was named 2008 Independent Retailer of the Year. Opened in 1983, the gallery specialises in exhibiting and promoting Australian wood art, sculpture and furniture and attracts an average of 120,000 tourists and visitors each year.

IGA received the 2008 Retail Innovation Award accolade for its commitment to environmental sustainability, displaying innovation and leadership to reduce plastic bag usage through government acceptance of a joint education campaign. The campaign increased recycle content of all plastic bags from zero to thirty percent across one billion bags sold, and created new sales of two million alternate carry bags.

Sponsored by the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, the ARA Retail Awards ceremony is designed to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the growth and development of their businesses and their contributions towards retailing in Australia. Award categories in 2008 include Independent Retailer, Retail Innovation, Young Retailer and Retailer of the Year. For further information and nomination details please visit www.retail.org.au.

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 293 544 E: kath.christie@retail.org.au

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