Australian party retailer The Party People has been named Best Small Retailer in Australia for its Drummoyne store, courtesy of Australia’s National Retail Association.
Although it was named winner of the Small Retailer of the Year, The Party People Megastore, located at Drummoyne in Victoria, is actually Australia’s largest physical party store (the definition of small is based on number of employees).
The Drummoyne store achieved sales of $1 million in its first year and has continued to grow between 10-20% annually since.
“We are delighted to have won the award,” commented ceo Dean Salakas. “Basically that store continues to go from strength-to-strength, growing in what most are saying is a terrible retail environment here in Australia.”
He continued: “It continues to grow in both sales (at a double digit rate) and profits, which are a key measure of a businesses performance. The store picks internet orders from the shop floor adding a level of complexity to the team but at the same time giving us scale to provide great service.”
The store manager for the Drummoyne branch of The Party People was also a finalist for store manager of the year at the awards. “She truly deserved that praise, as that store would not be the success it is without her,” added Dean.
Held at the Star in Sydney on Monday 9 September, the annual National Retail Awards also highlighted that the best retailers are using technical innovation, creativity and leadership to survive tough times on Australia’s high streets.
“The fact that nominations for our 2019 Retail Awards come from global retailers, Australia’s major retailers and some incredibly successful small retailers shows the incredible diversity of Australian retail and the NRA as their representative organisation,’’ said the NRA’s ceo Dominique Lamb.
“We are incredibly proud of being able to represent retailers who are constantly seeking to evolve and improve. These are the retailers who are the face of modern Australian retail.’’
