News / Online Retailer
ORIA 2012 Finalists Announced
- 14th June
- Samantha Youl 130
The 2012 Online Retail Industry Awards finalists are announced, with some predictable results but also some surprise new entrants. The winners will be announced at the ORIA Gala Dinner on Wednesday, July 18, in Sydney.
Now in its third year, the Online Retail Industry Awards is the dedicated awards program for the Australia/New Zealand online retail industry. The awards continue to grow in stature, and the calibre of entrants has risen another level in 2012, according to Chair of the Judging Panel, Steven Noble.
“While the judges were impressed to see Australian online retailers steadily improving every aspect of their businesses, we were particularly excited to see them take to the new mobile commerce awards category with such energy,” said Noble. “The quality of the mobile commerce entries showed us how quickly Australia is adapting to the mobile realities of today and tomorrow.”
Judged by seven panelists including three international judges, the following retailers emerged in each category as finalists. Judges will continue to review and refine their scoring for the finalists using a blind scoring system, with the highest points tally in each category defining the category winner.
The winners will receive their awards at the popular Gala Awards Dinner on Wednesday July 18 during the Online Retailer Conference at Darling Harbour, Sydney.
FINALISTS
Best Multichannel Retailer
(Sponsored by Salmat)
Harvey Norman
Woolworths
Bing Lee
ABC Shop
Top 3 by Design
Glassons
Best PurePlay Retailer
(Sponsored by ExactTarget)
Catch of the Day
Appliances Online
brandsExclusive
StyleTread
Surfstitch
The Iconic
Best New Online Retailer
George & King
Harvey Norman
Ozmattress
Sneaking Duck
The Iconic
Vinomofo
The Mens Shop
Best Online Marketing Initiative
Birdsnest
The Iconic
StyleTread
Woolworths
Spreets
OzSale
Scoopon
Best Customer Experience
(Sponsored by hybris)
Appliances Online
SurfStitch
Birdsnest
The Iconic
Sneaking Duck
Best Mobile Commerce
brandsExclusive
Spreets
MARCS
StyleTread
Woolworths
Catch of the Day
Best Site Optimisation & Design
brandsExclusive
Le Domaine
SurfStitch
Tinyme
Appliances Online
Shooii
Best Use of Technology
(Sponsored by Online Retailer)
Sportsgirl
Joe Button
Appliances Online
Shoes of Prey
brandsExclusive
Most Innovative Online Retailer
(Sponsored by Macquarie Telecom)
Sneaking Duck
Joe Button
Sportsgirl
Birdsnest
Tiny Me
Best Aggregation Channel
GetPrice
Club QT
Online Shopping USA
16 Comments
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The fact that Harvey Norman is a finalist in not one but two of these awards beggars belief and seriously tarnishes the credibility of the award’s eligibility criteria.
Some of the others are worthy nominees, but really, Harvey Norman?
I mean even Gerry Harvey doesn’t like the results he’s getting from his own website and says you can’t sell stuff online.
I also refer you to a recent editorial on this very site
Editorial: Is Gerry Harvey Past It? http://www.powerretail.com.au/editorial-2/editorial-is-gerry-harvey-past-it/
Crazy.
Congratulations to all. One comment: ABC Shop?? Really? I think anyone that had a public funded radio and TV station behind them should not be able compete in private sector awards.
Lets hope Vinomofo get up. Their website is authentic and original.
Congratulations, nice to see OZMattress being chosen as a finalist in new online retailer. Was very happy with the service and quality of purchase online. Wish them all the best…Ian Smith
Vinomofo.. Their unique style of branding connects with such a vast consumer profile. Through their fun, quirky, yet meticulous approach to wine, Vinomofo never fails to deliver a quality, and reputable product.
Harvey Norman? n what capacity? Harvey Norman, or Harvey Norman Big Buys? Either way, what a joke
I agree – Harvey Norman – you must be joking!!! As soon as I saw that they were up for any sort of online award, I just thought “rigged awards event for sure”. Thanks for a great laugh!!!
I’m no fan of Harvey Norman myself, but when I look at who is on the judging panel and that the primary criteria for judging entries (from the ORIA site) is on overall experience, optimisation and performance of the online store, then I am prepared to cut the shortlist some slack.
There must be a method to their madness somewhere- either that or the other online stores nominated are even worse
Great feedback from everyone! Congrats to all the finalists. My two cents… The awards are unbiased objective evaluations, from the perspective of online retailing as an industry. Whether the stores are privately owned or public (Phil, your comment) and whether it’s Harvey Norman and its Public perception issues, those need to be overlooked in the pursuit of excellent online retailing. The awards are based on the technical, scientific, business and artful results that come from exceptional online retailing. As all of us as practitioners know, this is not an easy task. Good luck to all.
There’s no coverage in New Zealand about these awards and I can’t see any NZ sites in the finals. Did any NZ sites enter? Should the awards really be marketed as “the dedicated awards program for the Australia/New Zealand online retail industry”?
Simon, Glassons are an NZ business.
Barkers were a finalist last year.
You are right though- more Kiwi businesses need to put their hands up
I should have been clear. ABC Stores is government. I have no problem with public V private however ABC Stores has a massive advantage over everyone else because it receives free advertising on its TV and radio stations nationally. It has a place at awards and it’s called the AIMIA’s. I am sure management & the IT department at ABC stores sleeps well not having to worry about customer acquisition or paying its bills. Government has no place here.
We ordered a few shirts from the men’s shop and when they arrived I have never seen such beautiful presentation. They arrived so quickly too. The shirts are perfect and great value – such a good discount. We will be doing all of our men’s shopping from now on via the mens’ shop on line!
Congratulations Ozmattress!
A breath of fresh air is the only way I can describe this site! Easy to use, inviting and the customer support is second to none!
I say good on George & King to be part of the finalist list. I’ve bought a suit from them, and was very happy with the fit, price and service.
Good luck to you guys.
I love Online Shopping USA. Thanks to that website, I saved a lot of money. I’m never shopping at myer or dj again and paying twice (sometimes thrice) the amount.