As reported last week via Moodie Live, the annual Sunglasses Awards will incorporate a number of changes in 2015, to include updated categories and a new, bespoke communication platform. The amendments were previewed during a press briefing at last week’s TFWA Tax Free Asia Pacific Show.
Entries have now opened for this year’s event – the winners will be crowned in Cannes on 20 October. The event is co-sponsored by leading sunglasses manufacturers Luxottica, Marcolin, De Rigo, Marchon, Maui Jim and Safilo. The Awards aim to recognise the best and most progressive retailers in the sunglasses category.
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The 2015 Awards aim to recognise and highlight a broader range of success stories |
In total there will be 11 Sunglasses Awards in 2015, and five out of six award categories will be split by retailer turnover (above and below €2bn). This translates into twice as many awards compared with previous years, with greater opportunity for outstanding retailers of all sizes to be recognised for their excellence, the organisers maintain.
In terms of category changes, Best Airport for Sunglasses returns (replacing the award for Best Stand-Alone Sunglasses Concept). There will also be a new award, for Best Marketing of Sunglasses (replacing the Best Innovation Award).
In other news, the organisers of the Sunglasses Workshop & Awards are set to launch a new communications platform – www.sunglassescategory.com. Soon to be live, this will provide a range of resources both on the awards and on the sunglasses category. It will also provide archive access to previous workshops and awards, display the event’s latest news and allow participants to submit their entries online.
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The 2014 Sunglasses Workshop & Awards attracted the largest crowd to date |
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Luxottica’s Francis Gros hails the quality of the shortlisted entries at the 2014 event |
In 2016 the Awards categories are:
• Best New In-store Environment for Sunglasses (two awards – retailer turnover above and below €2bn)
• Best Dedicated Sunglasses Sales Team (two awards – retailer turnover above and below €2bn)
• Best Airport for Sunglasses
• Best Off-Airport Sunglasses Retailer (two awards – retailer turnover above and below €2bn)
• Best Marketing of Sunglasses (two awards – retailer turnover above and below €2bn)
• Sunglasses Retailer of the Year (two awards – retailer turnover above and below €2bn).
The judging panel comprises Luxottica Head of Global Channels Francis Gros, Marcolin Duty Free & Travel Retail Manager Chiara Polverini, Maui Jim Director Duty Free Sales Giles Marks, Safilo Travel Retail Marketing Manager William Sie, Marchon International Travel Retail Director Erwann Le Guennec and De Rigo Boutiques & Duty Free Manager Enrico Molin.
Luxottica’s Gros commented: “The changes we have announced to this year’s Sunglasses Awards mean that the 2015 edition looks set to be by far the biggest and best yet. With almost double the awards on offer there is more reason than ever for sunglasses retailers to share their success stories with the rest of the category and the wider travel retail industry.
“This, coupled with the launch of a new communications platform, which provides a wealth of information to users, is yet further evidence of the ongoing innovation and collaboration which is driving the dynamic sunglasses category forwards.”
For further information contact Bettina.danet@uk.luxottica.com
