2010 Waikato TOP SHOP Winners
congratulations to the 2010 Waikato category winners
Large Format - Sponsored by Visa International
Winner - New World Te Rapa
"New World Te Rapa is all about the food experience. Not only do we have the largest range of products but we have our own food demonstrators and skilled staff to tempt you to try before you buy. Our staff are recognised as the friendliest and most helpful in any Waikato supermarket." - Chris Grace
Judges Comments
Judges were impressed with the range of different products and specialty items in this store. The store layout is great and it is easy to navigate one’s shopping trolley. More than one judge has become a loyal New World Te Rapa customer based on their judging experience. Staff are always friendly, willing to answer questions and go out of their way to help. One female judge dislikes grocery shopping (her husband always does it) and vowed that when he was overseas and she had to do it, she was only going to New World Te Rapa.
Runner Up - Cycletime, Frankton
"With one of New Zealand's largest range of bikes and accessories on display in our shop, staff with up to 20 years of industry knowledge and experience, And a fully equipped workshop capable of any repair and service with a smile we feel our bike shop is like no other in Waikato." - Dave Spring
* * * * * * *
Fashion, Footwear and Accessories Category - Sponsored by Student Job Search
Winner - Ziera Hamilton
"Ziera (Kumfs) is not merely a retail of shoes, but is also a “fitting house” where we fit shoes to feet rather than just sell product. Our unique comfort and fashion blend (along with our range of orthotic capable shoes) mean that customers can feel more comfortable whilst retaining a sense of style." - Sarah Seviche-Jones
Judges Comments
This store absolutely ‘fits’ shoes to feet. The product knowledge was great and specific shoes were suggested for me and my daughter. The staff understood feet, shoes, orthotics, style and how to put it all together. Chloe even found a pair of shoes for my daughter who was convinced the store only sold ‘Nana’ shoes-and persuaded her to try them on. We bought the shoes!
Runner Up - Dinsdale Jewellers
"Friendly community store with good range of product." - Fiona Platje
* * * * * * *
Lifestyle & Wellbeing Category - Sponsored by Westpac
Winner - Framing, Quilt and Craft, Te Aroha
"What makes our store excellent is the fact that we have a wide range of products in most Craft and Quilting supplies and if we don't have it we will always endeavour to find it for the customer. We give encouragement and support in the way a good friend does and our customers reward us by coming back and showing us their finished works." - Karen Ryan
Judges Comments
This was one of the hardest categories to judge because of the sheer number of finalists. Awesome experience. Even though we needed quite a bit of help with our project, the staff member was able to tend to 5 other customers during our visit but also keep ‘an eye’ on us and let us know we were not forgotten. The USP states that staff will provide encouragement and support the way a good friend does. This is 100% true. I felt like an Auntie was guiding my daughter and me on a new project. I will drive from Hamilton to Te Aroha to visit this shop.
Runner Up - Paperzone, Frankton
"At Paperzone, the welcome is always warm, customers are free to browse, and help is always on hand from our friendly team of paper addicts. With hundreds of ideas and no secrets, our range of specialty papers, ribbons and accessories for scrapbooking and invitations is simply amazing, and many of our customers bring in their out of town visitors to show off "their beautiful shop". If we don't stock what our customers want, we do our best to source it. Good, old-fashioned service, product knowledge and talented class teachers are what we are all about.
With such wonderful products to work with, displays are a major part of our shop, and customers of all ages find it a joy to visit. Many of our customers call in almost daily to see what's new, and have become our friends."
- Patsy Clarkin
Runner Up - The Soccer Shop
"We are a specialist store and can provide one on one advice and recommendations. We are heavily involved with football in the community and are happy to chat with our customers about all aspects of football. We offer a generous loyalty reward programme and shopping at our store should be an exciting, enjoyable experience."
- Terri Comber
* * * * * * *
Giftware & Homeware Category - Sponsored by Viaduct
Winner - 3GTeak, Te Kuiti
"3G Teak is an innovative retailer based in a small rural town and capitalizing on the opportunities technology now provides. Faced with numerous challenges unique to rural districts, 3G Teak has managed to position itself within the homewares industry in both a competitive and unique way. " - Kim Fagan
Judges Comments
Te Kuiti? A gift shop in Te Kuiti is a finalist? This judge was intrigued, especially after reading the USP and ‘why we should win’ section on the finalists’ information page. This shop stated they didn’t sell products but gave away Wow. The outside of the shop didn’t say Wow but let’s see what’s inside. My eyes popped out and my jaw dropped. Wow didn’t even begin to describe what I was looking at. I had to remind myself that I was in Te Kuiti and not London, NYC or Ponsonby. The unique products, merchandise presentation and service were amazing. I wanted to look at everything. I was afraid to look at the prices but was pleasantly surprised at the affordability of the products. Bernie (?) answered all my husband’s questions and even let him look at photos of custom made products. 3 G Teak-I will be back to do my Christmas shopping and bring some friends with me!
Runner Up - H Meyer & Sons Ltd
"Our staff warmly greet and are always helpful to all customers who enter our store, where a variety of goods are tastefully displayed. Both Joy and Kathy take great pride in the window displays they create, which attract purchases not only from local people but also as far away as Auckland. The added touch of towels folded in novel ways is an extra personal skill by Kathy. Both enjoy their job and their friendship brings a happy atmosphere to our store." - Graham Meyer
* * * * * * *
Specialty Category - Sponsored by Advantage Business
Winner - spazioCasa Hamilton
"spazioCasa offer our clients a unique and exciting retail experience whilst also providing creative design solutions at competitive prices. We are raising the standard in our industry." - Ben Kirk
Judges Comments
Lovely experience-I felt welcome and relaxed (even though my attire probably didn’t fit the target market profile!). Staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. The products were well displayed and lots of information was provided.
Runner Up - Hamilton i-Site Visitor Centre
"The Hamilton i-SITE is a vital part of the hamilton region. We provide tourist information both for the local area as well as new Zealand. We provide guidance suggestions and book for both tourists as well as our locals. With Hamilton now being a leading event city the service we provide is more important to the success of the region than ever." - Michelle Wilby
* * * * * * *
Food & Beverage Category - Sponsored by Dish and NZRetail Magazines
Winner - Liquor King Hillcrest
"Liquor King Hillcrest is not your usual liquor wholesaler; we offer everything you expect out of a liquor outlet. At LK Hillcrest we have a nice new open plan shop that would not look out of place in a major mall. In design of the new fit out we have researched all aspects of retail not just the liquor industry to give the customer the most stress free shopping experience possible." - Nick Gold
Judges Comments
The open plan shop layout was so inviting. Rather than wanting to get in and out of this liquor store, the judges wanted to linger and look at everything. This liquor outlet is definitely unique among similar retailers. Staff were friendly, offered advice and recommendations and would make any customer-experienced and un-experienced at purchasing liquor-feel welcome.
Runner Up - Corogate Cafe, Thames
* * * * * * *
Start-Up Category - Sponsored by Paymark
Winner - Green Grocer Hamilton East
"Green Grocer Hamilton East mixes that old fashioned market day expertise and service with the best fresh food the region and mother nature can offer. Then we deliver it all with a fun twist making grocery shopping a pleasurable sensory experience instead of a chore."
Judges Comments
What a super store! The produce was fresh and superbly displayed and staff members we encountered were helpful, pleasant and friendly.
* * * * * * *
Online Retailing Category - Sponsored by Telecom
Winner - Breastmates - www.breastmates.co.nz
"We’re the Top Shop Online winner because while running an effective online store, we actually put our heart into our business and treat each customer as an individual." - Frances McInnes
Judges Comments
A very unique store offering great advice and products. Easy to manoeuvre and great advice; a godsend to mums and would be mums to shop from the comfort of their own home - excellent!
* * * * * * *
Sustainable Retailing Category - Sponsored by Meridian
Winner - The Herbal Dispensary
"Our business has low impact on the environment, because of our dedicated recycling program combined with a building design that provides passive heating and sunlight, thus reducing our carbon footprint." - Bronwyn Lowe
Judges Comments
It's evident that the Herbal Dispensary have devoted time and attention to the sustainability of their products and the impacts of their store.
1st Runner Up - Hillcrest New World
2nd Runner Up - Naturally Healthy - 3 stores across Hamilton
* * * * * * *
The middle North Island Retail Modern Apprentice of the Year -
Sponsored by the Retail Institute
Amy Gibson, Placemakers Hamilton
And the 2010 Waikato OVERALL WINNER is...
New World Te Rapa
Click here for more images of New World Te Rapa
Judges Comments
Dear New World Te Rapa,
Congrats New World Te Rapa-you finally did it. After being the category winner, you grabbed the top prize. You all definitely earned it and the judge team made sure of that. Early on in the finalists judging round, you were ahead in the game. Every judge that visited your store had a great experience. And we made sure each judge ‘tested’ a different part of the store-fruit and veggies, meat and fish, bread, etc. But there was a contender ‘nipping at your heels’. The judge team had to make a decision and the due date set by the NZ Retailers Association was in 24 hours. What to do? In desperation, I devised a plan. I recruited another judge- a young lady who had never visited either of the stores vying for the overall Top Shop. To really test your store, I sent her shopping with 3 children at 6 p.m on Thursday 30 September-the day before GST increased! She didn’t know the layout of the store and arrived at what I fondly call ‘supermarket rush hour’. She found the items on her list and then was instructed to ask someone for a particular product-icing in a can. She randomly stopped a staff member and posed the question, “ I don’t know the name of the product but it is icing in a can that can be used to decorate cakes.” The staff member not only told her the aisle but the exact shelf position of the product and chatted with her about the challenges of grocery shopping with kids. The judge found the product exactly where she was told it would be. The only downside-she didn’t buy it much to the kids’ dismay! She proceeded to the checkout and received outstanding service. It can be a challenge to make grocery shopping a pleasant experience but you all passed each and every test we set with flying colours. Well done, you earned the award. And, if by any chance you can determine who the staff member was that answered the question about ‘icing in a can’-she deserves extra praise cause her answer ‘nailed’ your win.
promoting excellence in retailing
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}