Stars of Liverpool’s retail scene will have the opportunity to shine at the city’s first ever retail awards, which are being staged next year.
Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool ONE, along with partners Marketing Liverpool, have teamed up to launch the Retail Awards Liverpool to recognise outstanding retailers, large and small, who are going the extra mile through customer service and retail innovation in the city centre.
Liverpool has become one of the UK’s top shopping destinations, achieving significant growth in recent years and continuing to outperform UK averages.
Since the start of 2016, Liverpool ONE has already welcomed several new brands to the city including Skechers and Victoria’s Secret with The White Company, Bravissimo, Smiggle, Lindt and Jack Wolfskin, set to open later this year.
In light of this growth, award organisers were keen to launch a platform for talented retailers to celebrate excellence in the industry.
Retailers in the city centre can enter the awards by visiting www.retailawardsliverpool.co.uk.
An independent panel of judges will review all the entries and once the shortlist is announced, the public will then be able to cast their vote for the winners of two categories, the ‘Retail ICON of the Year’ and ‘Customer Service’ awards.
The awards will culminate in a glittering ceremony to be held at Liverpool Cathedral on Thursday, 23 March 2017 where all the winners will be announced.
Bill Addy, chief executive of the Liverpool BID Company, said:
“Liverpool’s retail sector has a huge impact on the economic prosperity of the city and in recent years has gone from strength to strength.
“We’ve seen more big name brands, as well as a wealth of independents moving into our thriving city centre. So, we believe the time is right to recognise talent in the industry and reward the heroes of retail.”
Estate director at Liverpool ONE, Chris Bliss, added:
“This is an excellent opportunity to reward those who have injected real energy into Liverpool’s retail sector and helped make it the leading retail destination we see today.
“Retail in Liverpool is better than it has ever been before, with well-known brands choosing our city as their home, many for their flagship stores. The quality and variety of the offer now found across our city highlights the progress that has been made over the past decade and which continues to be made today.”
Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool said:
“Liverpool’s visitor economy has continued to grow and there is no doubt that the strength of our retail offer has been a major factor in that, and will increasingly be the case if we are to realise our full potential. It is therefore fitting that these awards are being held and we are delighted to show our support for them.”
The 12 award categories are:
- Best National Retailer
- Best Independent Retailer
- Best Retail Team
- Social Impact Award
- Best Employer
- Rising Star
- Excellence in Visual Merchandising Award
- Innovation Award
- Best New Store Award (less than 12 months old)
- Retail Manager of the Year Award
- Customer Service Award
- Retail ICON of the Year Award
For nominations, please visit: www.retailawardsliverpool.co.uk