Christchurch Top Shop Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christchurch Top Shop 2005 Awards Results

Groovy Glasses was announced 2005 Overall Winner of the Christchurch Top Shop Awards, held at Reading Cinema, The Palms on October 11th. Trudi Maclean credited her wonderful staff, who didn't even know she had entered them in the competition! She was also grateful to major sponsors, The Press and Newstalk ZB for the prize of $10,000 advertising.

Just under 5,000 public votes were received this year for 359 retail stores in the wider Christchurch region. All entrants were mystery shopped by Fieldforce and these results were used to determine the semi-finalists and finalists. Finalists were mystery shopped again by a panel of expert judges to determine the category winners and overall winner. Stan Wojtas, South Island Regional Manager for the New Zealand Retailers Association says "The high enthusiasm of participants was reflected in the high level of competition among Christchurch retailers".

The judges said of Groovy Glasses "Groovy Glasses makes shopping for eyeware an 'out of sight' experience. The retro style fit out, fabulous and funky product range, refreshing and infectious enthusiasm by staff committed to finding the view right for you, creates a fantastic and focused experience.

The new venue worked well for the awards, with more than 250 attendees relaxing to jazz trio, Ten Feet Tall, before heading to the cinema for the awards presentation.

Category winners were: Casual & Country in Large Format Store; G4M in Gifts and Specialty; Bakers Delight Northlands in Food and Beverage, and Outstanding Customer Service; David Lawrence in Best Store in a Westfield Shopping Centre; Groovy Glasses for Health and Beauty; Ashton Grove for Homeware; Sweet Limited in Best New Business; Exitsurf Shop in Recreation and Lifestyle and one big sugar bowl for Fashion, Footwear and Accessories. Congratulations to all the winners from the New Zealand Retailers Association, and major sponsors The Press and Newstalk ZB.