Commemorating Retailing Excellence In The Middle East The Annual RetailME Awards 2018

The Middle East’s best retailers were presented with the prestigious 2018 Images RetailME Awards, at a gala ceremony on October 9, 2018 at the Palazzo Versace Hotel Dubai, UAE. The retail industry’s leaders, dignitaries and visionaries were present at the Awards gala.

Images RetailME Awards recognises excellence across a range of retail categories, turning the spotlight on the best performing retailers in the region and benchmarking best practices in this vibrant industry. There can be no greater accolade than gaining recognition from one’s peers, the awards jury comprising of eminent names from the world of retail.

One of the very special honours at the Awards gala was Yusuffali MA, Chairman & Managing Director of Lulu Group International felicitated as the Most Admired Retail Personality of the Year.

Yusuffali MA said, “I am obviously delighted on being honored by Images RetailME with the prestigious “Retail Personality of the Year Award”. I have always believed that awards & accolades especially from the industry are always a boost and pushes you to set new benchmarks. Even after being involved in the retail business for more than 40 years, I still feel excited every day and continue to learn as new technologies and trends are changing the rules of the game almost every day. This award  is special because it recognises me as retailer. My hearty congratulations to Images RetailME team for their commendable job in bringing together the retail fraternity and helping us find solutions.”

Apparel Group was named as the Most Admired Middle East Retailer of the Year.  On receiving the award Sima Ved, Vice Chairperson & Founder Apparel Group said, “These are not our first awards, and InshAllah not our last, but every win feels amazing.  I think RetailME raises the bar every year by throwing new comers with tremendous potential into the mix.  Their jury process is truly objective and therefore commendable!”

Diving deep into the retail consumption verticals, among the winners in 21 diverse categories were Herschel for the Most Admired Rising Star Retailer of the Year, E-City won in Consumer Electronics category and Life Pharmacy under Pharmacy & Healthcare.

Saffori Land took the award in the Leisure & Entertainment category, aswaaq in the Food & Grocery category and Tribes under food service.

Yasmin Manna won an award for the Most Admired Store Manager of the Year, while THE One was named as the Most Admired Responsible Retailer of the Year.

ARDENE, New Balance & ZOOM were felicitated for the Most Admired Brand Campaigns of the Year. Bally, VR Park and Marina Home Interiors were awarded for the Most Admired Store Designs of the Year.

In addition, there were three special awards that included the Most Admired F&B Concept that went to PINZA, while Badia Farms was named as the Most Admired Start-up and an Excellence Award in Food & Grocery (Saudi Arabia) went to BinDawood Group. (The full list of winners is mentioned below.)

Tom Urquhart, a firm favourite in Dubai’s media circuit and a talented broadcaster anchored the Annual RetailME awards ceremony. Cara Jane Roberts set the mood to the awards night with her numinous performance.

Commenting on the 8^th annual RetailME Awards, Amitabh Taneja, Chairman of the Images Group, said, “Starting a business and driving it to success is a tough challenge. Through the RetailME Awards, we acknowledge every aspect of this journey.”

“We sincerely thank our esteemed jury for sparing time and effort to evaluate all the submissions and compile the results,” he added.

The RetailME Awards submissions were evaluated and judged by an eminent jury panel comprising Adel Belcaid, Principal, AT Kearney Middle East; Jerzy Osika Owner & CEO Promedia; Lewis Allen, Director of Environments, Portland; Mohamed Galal, President & CEO, TSM Crenovations, Egypt; and Mohammad Alawi, Chairman of the Board, Saudi Sand Souvenir Company.

“A big thanks to all our partners supporting this event – Lulu Group, Interstore & Schweitzer, Zebra, ZOOM, Amrut Software, Xpandretail, QwikCilver, LP Flex, Openbravo, Datalogic, Al-Futtaim Logistics, Emsys, obase,  Kalandoor, Dalma Mall, BI Solutions, Coffee Planet, Wooqer, Arvind Internet, Vinculum, Shoppyfier, Adapty, Gia (awards partner) and Crowe (results partner),” stated Taneja.

“We are grateful to all the participants and congratulate all the finalists and the ultimate awardees,” he concluded.

The RetailME Awards is presented by Images RetailME magazine, the most widely read trade retail publication in the Middle East, with a 45,000-strong readership across the MENA region. The monthly publication offers unparalleled insight through its network of correspondents, industry analysts and specialists.