ORIAS 2018 finalists revealed

Heather McIlvaine

13th Jun 2018

The finalists for the 2018 Australia Post Online Retail Industry Awards (ORIAS) have been revealed at an event in Sydney on Wednesday.

Now in their ninth year, the annual awards reflect the increasingly competitive e-commerce landscape in Australia, with six finalists being named in each category.

The ORIAS saw an “overwhelming” number of submissions this year, including many international and multichannel brands, such as The Body Shop, Cue Clothing and Supercheap Auto, proving businesses of all sizes are now taking online retail seriously.

“Retailers are working hard to keep up with the changing consumer expectations and fast-paced advancements in technology, and the ORIAS are the place for the community to recognise their hard work and celebrate wins,” Alice Kueppers, the ORIAS’ event director, said.

Winners announced next month

While the finalists in most categories were selected by a panel of judges, the finalists for the People’s Choice awards for large and small retailers were chosen by consumers.

This year, more than 1,100 online merchants threw their hat in the ring to win the People’s Choice award – a 40 per cent increase year-on-year – and over 240,000 consumer votes were registered.

The winners will be announced at a gala event at the 10th annual Online Retailer conference at the ICC Exhibition Centre in Sydney on 26 July.

Last year saw Mon Purse crowned Online Retailer of the Year. The online accessories business also picked up awards for Best In-store Initiative and Best International Conqueror.

Tinyme was also a triple winner, taking home awards for Best Pureplay Online Retailer, Best Omnichannel Customer Service and Best M-commerce Site/App, while Kogan.com won the highly coveted StarTrack People’s Choice award and Kate Morris, founder and CEO of Adore Beauty (pictured above), received the Industry Recognition award.

Many of these retailers are finalists for this year’s ORIAS again. Here is the complete list:

Industry Recognition

• Tony Nash, CEO, Booktopia
• Wayne Baskin, Deputy CEO and CTO, Booktopia
• Mark Baartse, CMO, Showpo
• Kristy Chong, CEO, Modibodi
• Jason Kencevski, CEO, Speedmaster
• Nathan Huppatz, Co-founder, Costumes.com.au

People’s Choice – Large Retailer

• Beserk
• Hoselink
• Kogan.com
• Meshki
• Pillow Talk
• Showpo

People’s Choice – Small Retailer

• Arlo & Co
• Knobby
• Koh Australia (ekoWorx)
• Macro Mike
• Riff Raff & Co Sleep Toys
• Skinnymixers

Best Pureplay Online Retailer

• Booktopia
• Catch
• GlamCorner
• HelloFresh
• Tinyme
• Vinomofo

Best Multichannel Retailer

• Cotton On Group
• Cue Clothing Co
• JD Sports Fashion Group
• Rebel
• Supercheap Auto
• BWS

Best New Online Retailer 

• Moments Condom – Coral
• Jacob Pod
• Little Designer Club
• McDowells Herbal
• The Sheet Society
• Wellington & North

Best Small Independent Retailer

• Black Swallow
• Costumes.com.au
• Flora & Fauna
• Hunting for George
• Mountain Bikes Direct
• The WOD Life

Best International Conquerer

• City Chic
• Cotton On Group
• Ettitude
• Showpo
• Speedmaster
• Tinyme

Best Site Optimisation & Design

• GlamCorner
• Hello Molly
• Showpo
• The Body Shop
• Tinyme
• Zanui

Best Mobile Commerce Site/Application

• Booktopia
• Catch
• Shop You
• Target
• Showpo
• Tinyme

Best Online Retail Marketing

• Accent Group – Hype DC
• Beer Cartel
• Meshki
• Mountain Bikes Direct
• Showpo
• Tinyme

Best Pop-Up Experience

• Cellarmasters
• Grace Loves Lace
• Hunting for George
• Little Designer Club
• Deliveroo
• Supercheap Auto

Best In-Store Initiative

• Intersport Australia
• Rebel
• Cue Clothing Co
• Supercheap Auto
• BWS

Best Social Commerce Initiative 

• Meshki
• Arlo & Co
• Hello Molly
• Showpo
• Tinyme
• Vinomofo

Best Omnichannel Customer Service

• Birdsnest
• Cotton On Group
• GlamCorner
• Grace Loves Lace
• Showpo
• The Daily Edited

Best Bootstrapped Growth Initiative

• Arlo & Co
• Box for Monkeys
• Esther & Co
• Flora & Fauna
• Mountain Bikes Direct
• i=Change