Ireland-based fashion phenomenon Primark was named Multi Market Retailer of the Year at the prestigious Oracle World Retail Awards, held at the German Historical Museum.  The awards took place during the annual World Retail Congress in Berlin, Oct 27th, attended by 1,149 retailers and senior industry executives from across 56 countries.

The company’s ascent to the top has been remarkable, both in terms of performance and speed, with sales growing 20% last year, 7% on a like-for-like basis, despite the severity of the global consumer downturn. 
 
Benefiting from fashion-conscious consumers who are trading down, Primark has followed a rapid international expansion programme, and now operates in Ireland, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Belgium. Opting to grow through a model of self-ownership, the retailer is focused on larger stores and has become a massive footfall driver for shopping centres and high streets. In selecting Primark as the winner, judges noted the company’s “rapid and impressive growth” and described the retailer as a “great success story”.


Other category winners included:

Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Oracle)
Amazon 
 
Responsible Retailer of the Year (sponsored by 5ne)
Woolworths (South Africa) 
 
Etailer of the Year (sponsored by GfK) 
Ocado 
 
Emerging Market Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer)
Truworths International, South Africa 
 
Retail Advertising Award – In-Store (sponsored by Interbrand)
American Eagle Outfitters for 15 Seconds Of Fame (R/GA)
 
Retail Advertising Award - Direct Marketing (sponsored by Interbrand)
Payless ShoeSource for Life Stage Marketing: Establishing an Emotional Connection with Mom
 
Retail Advertising Award – Traditional Media (sponsored by Interbrand)
The Co-operative, Brand Relaunch
 
Retail Advertising Award – New media (sponsored by Interbrand)
Nike Japan for NIKEiD Generator, by Beacon Communications
 
Store Design of the Year (sponsored by Capital Shopping Centres) 
Topshop, New York (Dalziel & Pow)
 
Retail Innovation Award (sponsored by NCR)
Liaoning Xinglong Happy Family Business Group for Kung Fu Master List
 
Outstanding Leadership Award (sponsored by Heidrick & Struggles)
Angela Ahrendts, CEO, Burberry