Stylerunner, Shoes of Prey shortlisted for World Retail Awards 2016

octomedia

31st Mar 2016

Australian e-commerce start-ups, Stylerunner and Shoes of Prey, are among the retailers which will be recognised on the global stage next month as finalists in the 2016 World Retail Awards.

The awards will be handed out at a gala dinner in Dubai on April 14, on the closing day of the World Retail Congress.

Online activewear retailer Styelrunner, which was founded in 2012 by Julie Stevanja, is nominated for Young Retail Entrepreneur of the Year.

Stevanja said she her initial reaction to being shortlisted as one of the five finalists was a combination of excitement, disbelief and joy.

“It’s not often your business gets recognised in a forum among the world’s best retailers, so I feel incredibly honoured to receive a nomination for the Young Retail Entrepreneur of the Year award,” Stevanja said.

“Every year, the World Retail Congress brings together leaders from the world’s best brands – from Tommy Hilfiger to LVMH… the World Retail Awards are the Oscars of retail.

“Entering the awards has put us on a global stage with these brands, and this category in particular is a nod to the retailers of the future which is incredibly exciting and inspiring for us.”

US-based Aussie start-up, Shoes of Prey, is a finalist in the Rodney Fitch Award for Innovation and Creativity category.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for the Rodney Fitch Award for Innovation and Creativity category in the World Retail Awards,” said co-founder Jodie Fox. “It really reaffirms why we do what we do, delivering a whole new shopping experience to women all around the world, and we’re incredibly proud to be named amongst other iconic brands who are changing the way we think about retail.”

Following the roll-out of physical design studios in six Nordstrom department stores in the US, Nordstrom invested in Shoes of Prey in 2015, endorsing its business model and cementing its omnichannel strategy. The Aussie start-up has raised a total of $US24.6 million since launching in 2009.

“Our rapid expansion and growth has been because we listen to the needs of our customers,” Fox said.

“We understand that retail is changing. Customisation is the new big thing and people are more conscious about the wastage that mass production can lead to. By creating exactly what they want, we are helping to change the idea that retail has to be a one size fits all concept and putting the power back into the shopper’s hands.”

Other Australian retailers shortlisted for the awards include Myer (Best Seasonal Advertising Campaign), The Good Guys (Responsible Retailer of the Year) and Kikki K (Store Design of The Year).