The shortlist for the Retail Middle East Awards 2007 has been announced, highlighting the Middle East Retailer of the year has made at top retail names that include The One (UAE), Azizia Panda United Company (KSA), Fawas Alhokair Group (KSA), Landmark Group (UAE). The event has become the benchmark for excellence in retail in the Middle East and is held annually under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy.
This year's winners will be announced during the official Awards ceremony, due to be held on March 3, 2008 at Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The awards attract the best-known names in the retail sector, and there is no greater accolade in the Middle East retail industry than to win one of the coveted trophies in addition to recognition amongst peers.
The final forty-five include niche players of the Middle East retail industry in each category. The following are the nominees in accordance to categories:
Marketing Campaign of the Year:
- Faces - Chalhoub Group
- SPLASH, Landmark - UAE
- New look - Landmark International
- Rivoli Group -UAE
- Sharaf DG - UAE
Best Store Design:
- Better Life Appliances & Accessories -UAE
- SPLASH, Landmark - UAE
- Salam - Wafi Mall - UAE
- MS Retail -KSA
International Retailer of the Year:
- Apparel Group LLC - Kenneth Cole - UAE
- Nine West ,Apparel Group - UAE
- Fawaz Alhokair Group -KSA
Lifestyle Retailer of the Year:
- The One -UAE
- Aldo Accessories - UAE
Business Excellence:
- Chalhoub Group-MIDDLE EAST
- Barakat Opticals- UAE
- SPLASH, Landmark
- Fawaz Alhokair Group-KSA
Rising Star:
- Pedeix - The Mattress
- Barakat Opticals
- S*uce
New Retail Brand:
- Urban Junction Gulf
- Twisted Store -UAE
- Carters - UAE
Customer Service Initiative of Year:
- Lamcy Plaza -UAE
- SPLASH, Landmark -UAE
- Barakat Opticals-UAE
Retail Personality:
- Micky Jagtiani - Landmark International - UAE
- Fahad A Al Mutawa - MS Retail -KSA
- Fawaz AlHokair - Fawaz AlHokair Group-KSA
- Nilesh Ved - Apparel Group - UAE
Loyalty Program of the Year:
- Lamcy Plaza-UAE
- Centrepoint Loyalty Program-UAE
- Virgin Mega Store-Qatar
Premium Luxury Retailer of the Year:
- Rivoli Group
- Salam Stores
- De Beers - Wafi Mall
Online retailer of the Year:
- Pink Moon Co.-KUWAIT
- EllaMart.com-UAE
Retail Destination of the Year:
- Times Square Centre
- Salam Stores
- Wafi Mall
- MS Retail - KSA
Store Manager of the Year:
- Paras Soni - Pure Gold
- Gabriel Salome - The One
All submissions are independently scored by a panel of judges comprising of some of the most prominent names from the region's retail industry including Ms. Laila Suhail, CEO DSF & DSS, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free, Jim Badour, EVP, Emaar Malls Group, Ian Silverstein founder of Creative Action Design, UK and Mr. Adnan Hegrat, Retail Development Consultant, Aswaq Management & Services.
Following the second round of reviewing by the judging panel, the finalists are forwarded to Ernst & Young; the official auditors of RetailME Awards, and are announced publicly on the evening of the awards. The results are based on the auditor's tally, and are kept strictly confidential prior to public announcement.
"The Middle East retail sector is witnessing phenomenal growth and is estimated to be worth in excess of $ 100 billion annually. Dubai, in particular, has one of the most sought after retail environments in the world and is the regional hub for retail sector accounting for a quarter of the total retail space in the GCC. The participation and turnover at Retail ME Awards since its launch has been overwhelming and I wish the 45 short listed candidates all the best for this year" said Aldrin Fernandes, CEO Concept Group.
"The best of the U.A.E retail industry will be rewarded for their efforts at the Retail ME Awards 2008. It is a pleasure to reveal the finalists some of who are big names in Middle East's retail industry. The competition is intense and gets tougher each year for judging. The entries this year were impressive as ever and it was difficult to select the best of the best from the industry for the shortlist "said Michael Panagiotakis, Events Director, Concept Events
"We are as excited as the finalists to know the winners of the Oscars of Middle East retail sector" added Michael Panagiotakis
The awards night is set to be an affair for the elite attracting 700 of the industry's finest. The production of the ceremony has received great acclaim and the RetailME Awards have even been referred to as the 'Businessman's Oscars'.
The City of Arabia, Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group are the principal sponsors of RetailME Awards and have been associated with the awards in the same capacity since its inception.
The distinguished ceremony is also supported by Award Partners, Grand Optics, INATUR Herbals, Salam, Apparel Group, The Millionaire Co and Baroue from MS Retail.
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About RetailME Awards
The RetailME Awards are produced and managed by Concept Events, in association with RetailME, the only business magazine in the Middle East dedicated to the retail industry. Launched in 2005, the Awards continue to be the best platform to showcase and celebrate contribution to the retail industry in the Middle East. In 17 categories, the awards highlight the outstanding performance of regional and international retailers and brands including achievements in marketing, customer service and loyalty program, store design and innovative concepts. For more information, visit www.retailmeawards.com
For Table reservations contact:
Ann Frank
Tel: +971 4 3902192
Email: awards@conceptgroup.ae
About Concept Events
Concept Events, part of the Concept Group, is a full service event management company with wide expertise and experience of managing corporate events, seminars and exhibitions, as well as live entertainment, award ceremonies and trade shows. In 2007 they produced and managed 2 seasons of Dubai International Fashion Week, a trade initiative for the Middle East fashion industry.
For further information please contact:
Sachin Solanki
Concept Group
Tel +9714 390 31 31
Fax +9714 368 80 38
Email: sachin.s@conceptgroup.ae
Naveed A. Pirzada
Concept PR
Tel +9714 375 76 32
Fax +9714 368 80 53
Email: naveed.p@conceptgroup.ae
© Press Release 2008
