World Retail Congress: 2014 World Retail Awards Winners

The standard of 2014 World Retail Award entries was exceptional, underlining the scale of innovation and creativity within the retail industry. Congratulations to this year’s World Retail Awards winners. View the winners per category below:
International Retailer of the Year Sponsored by MasterCard 2014 Winner: H&M With a truly global concept, our judges chose this year’s winner for its wide-ranging growth strategies. H&M has not only opened strongly in a huge number of markets but is one of the few to open in both the southern and northern hemispheres, said our judges, who praised it for innovating and maintaining a strong financial performance, and opening new concepts.
Retailer of the Year Sponsored by IBM 2014 Winner: Fast Retailing Growth and execution were two of the reasons why our judges chose this category winner. Fast Retailing has backed its ambitious expansion objectives with very impressive sales growth but the judges also liked that it has demonstrated itself a very human face through both its store environments and staff engagement. The mix of quality and price made for a compelling offer, said the judges.
Outstanding Leadership Award Sponsored by CT Partners 2014 Winner: Natalie Massenet & Mark Sebba, THE NET-A-PORTER GROUP In a break with precedent, the special “Outstanding Leadership” Award for 2014 was presented jointly to Natalie and Mark in recognition of their exceptional skills and vision in creating NET-A-PORTER.COM, the world’s premier online luxury retailer, THE OUTNET.COM, the most fashionable fashion outlet, and MR PORTER, the online retail destination for men’s style. All previous winners have been individuals, but it was felt that the partnership between Natalie and Mark justified this joint award.
Retail Transformation and Reinvention Award Sponsored by Boston Consulting Group 2014 Winner: ​Starbucks ​This retail transformation strategy went to the core of the brand, said the judges of our winner. The judges were impressed with what they described as the agility and speed with which Starbucks reacted to changing market conditions and its approach embraced both human and technology facets, with an approach which went to the heart of making its concept relevant.
Store Design < 1200sqm Award 2014 Winner: Verizon Destination Store, Mall of America, (AKQA & Chute Gerdeman) ​ Store Design > 1200sqm Award 2014 Winner: New Look Retailers, White City
Retail Advertising Campaign of the Year 2014 Winner: Sainsbury's “Christmas in a Day” (AMVBBDO) ​ Best New Retail Concept 2014 Winner: Eataly Smeraldo ​ CSR Initiative of the Year 2014 Winner: Lotte Shopping - “Ecomoney Project”
Omnichannel Retailer of the Year 2014 Winner: John Lewis   Pure Play Online Retailer 2014 Winner: vente-privee.com
Growth Market Retailer 2014 Winner: BreadTalk, China   Source: World Retail Congress