27 June, 2008
What's on - NEW LOOK CROWNED TOP SHOP AT LOCAL RETAIL AWARDS
Top fashion store New Look was crowed the Overall Best Retailer at this year's local shopping centre 'Oscars' held on Thursday, July 26th.
The popular shop bet off stiff competition from second place Marks & Spencer and USC, Poundland and River Island, who all came third, to scoop the coveted title at The Mall Howgate's annual Retailer Awards, held in The Martell, Falkirk.
New Look will now represent the town in the national final, held in September in London, where they will compete against another 22 stores for the title of The Mall Group's Best Retailer 2008.
Heather Tennant, Manager, New Look said: "We were hoping to win something but when our name was read out as Best Overall Retailer we were totally shocked - and over the moon! It's an honour to be nominated by our peers and a great win for the whole team."
Bargain store Poundland, which began trading in the mall in October 2007, picked up this year's Shopper's Award, the only category to be voted for by visitors to the centre.
Mairi Stewart, Manager, Poundland said: "We'd like to thank all our customers for nominating us. This award means so much to us all and proves that having a fantastic in-store team who work so well together really is appreciated by our shoppers."
This year 30 retailers achieved 100 per cent in the Mystery Shoppers category, the highest number to ever be given top marks since the awards began in 2002. The top stores, which were scored on a number of criteria such as customer service and knowledge of product, included: HMV, Chisholm Hunter, USC, Game, Wallis and Bank of Scotland.
River Island picked up Best Retail Presentation while Boots was awarded Excellence in Customer Service. For the second year in a row Magic Moments was named Best Independent Retailer and Desire by Debenhams the Best Involvement in Marketing. Officers Club picked up the award for Health & Safety.
Margaret Foy, Marketing Manager, The Mall Howgate said: "The Awards aren't just a way to thank our retailers for all the hard work they undertake during the year, they really are a fantastic way to boost morale and highlight how valued they are. We'd like to thank all our stores for participating and our customers for voting for their favourite shop."