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VIC ARA Retail Awards winners announced - Gemini Catering Equipment & Uniforms and Muffin Break win state honours

Gemini Catering Equipment & Uniforms and Jaclyn Connelly (Muffin Break) scooped the state’s top honours in the 2008 ARA Retail Awards when they were named the 2008 VIC Independent Retailer of the Year and 2008 VIC Young Retailer of the Year respectively.

Gemini Catering Equipment & Uniforms and Jaclyn Connelly (Muffin Break) scooped the state’s top honours in the 2008 ARA Retail Awards when they were named the 2008 VIC Independent Retailer of the Year and 2008 VIC Young Retailer of the Year respectively.

Jennifer Puppa owner of Dandenong’s Gemini Catering Equipment & Uniforms emerged victorious in the face of strong competition from runner-up Koo-Wee-Rup Newsagency.

24 year old Jaclyn Connelly became the Muffin Break’s Northland franchisee in 2006 at just 22 years of age.

In a competition closely watched by industry insiders and the business community alike, the VIC Young Retailer of the Year and VIC 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: 04222 5344 E: kath.christie@retail.org.au

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