2012 World Retail Awards – what you can learn from the winners

Retail start-ups can learn from the winners of the 2012 World Retail Awards, including Turkish brand Teknosa, which was named Emerging Market Retailer of the Year.

The awards, held at the World Retail Congress in London, offer retail organisations from around the world the opportunity to showcase innovation and creativity within their business.

This year, Sydney-based retailer Top3 by Design was the only Australian retailer to be named a finalist, nominated in the concept innovation category.

While Top3 by Design didn’t win an award, there are plenty of award-winners for Australian start-ups to take note of, including the following:

1. Teknosa

Based in Turkey, Teknosa was named Emerging Market Retailer of the Year. As Turkey’s biggest electronics retailer, Teknosa stocks major brands including Sony, Samsung and Apple.

“As well as the usual digital cameras and laptops, there is plenty of top-of-the-line gear for home cinema fans to browse through,” writes international shopping website Global Blue.

“Stylish surround sound options abound and the giant, plasma screens are the perfect match for big-name dramas. Staff are helpful and wonderfully able to guide you to just the gadget you are looking for.”

2. C&A Brazil

C&A Brazil, which is part of Dutch fashion chain C&A, won Retail Innovation of the Year in the concept innovation category, while Tesco won the business innovation category.

C&A Brazil launched an initiative called “Fashion Like”, which allows consumers to “like” C&A items online. These “likes” are then displayed on the clothes hangers of in-store items.

In turn, in-store shoppers can see the popularity of various items, which could prompt them to make a purchase.

3. Fangsuo Commune

Located in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, Fangsuo Commune was recognised for its innovative store design, taking out the title of Store Design of the Year.

Spanning 2,000 square metres, Fangsuo Commune is a bookstore, gallery and fashion retailer all in one. Since its opening last year, the store has attracted much attention in Guangzhou.

The store is divided into four main sections – a book zone, a clothing zone, a life zone and a café – while most of the furniture and decorative features are made from natural materials.