Field Agent Australian Retail Innovator of the Year 2011 Award

eyeclarity has been awarded Field Agent Australian Retail Innovator of the Year 2011 by the Australian Retail Association

7- Eleven named top retailer, eyeclarity clear winner for innovation- 2011 Visa Australian Retailer of the Year announced today

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association today announced 7- Eleven as the 2011 Visa Australian Retailer of the Year and eyeclarity as the 2011 Field Agent Retail Innovator of the Year at the ARA Australian Retail Awards breakfast.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said 7-Eleven and eyeclarity were retailers who stood out above a host of excellent competitors as worthy winners of their respective awards.

“7- Eleven has been serving Australian customers for 34 years, and prides itself on coming up with a significant number of “firsts” in its competitive field.

Vipin Kalra, Country Manager Visa Australia said, “We congratulate 7-Eleven on winning this prestigious award and commend them on rolling out countless business innovations including Visa payWave to improve the in-store experience for their customers.

“As a business, 7-Eleven has maintained its family focus through expansion, as well as focused on staff training with the knowledge their business is only as good as the last transaction,” Kalra said.

The award for 2011 Field Agent Retail Innovator of the Year was presented to eyeclarity Managing Director Jim Papas at the breakfast.

Field Agent General Manager Kate Gorman said, “eyeclarity is a pioneer in the future of optical retailing by implementing a business model which seamlessly integrates customer service, product innovation and technology to make for a truly amazing shopping experience.

“I am all praise for [eyeclarity managing director] Jim Papas for his vision and leadership in driving his business forward and innovating to achieve retail excellence, and what an honour to sponsor a winner who had the confidence to implement a unique and successful business model,” said Gorman.

7- Eleven took the award over from last year’s winner Smiggle while eyeclarity received the trophy for the innovation category after Kogan Technologies won the award last year.

Other national award winners announced at the 2011 ARA Australian Retail Awards breakfast included the eftpos 2011 Australian Independent Retailer of the year awarded to By Dezign, the 2011 Deakin University Australian Retail Graduate of the Year awarded to Sherryl Munday, as well as the 2011 Shopping Centre Council of Australia Retail Employer of the Year awarded to Myer.

The ARA Australian Retail Awards program recognises the outstanding achievements of individual retail players, the growth and development of retail businesses and contributions towards retailing in Australia.