Derek Dyson to keynote at retail industry awards celebration

PEAK retail body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is pleased to announce that Derek Dyson, Specsavers Global Retail Director, will be delivering the keynote address at the 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast on July 15 in Melbourne. 

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said it will be a pleasure to have Derek Dyson’s extensive experience and insights showcased at the Awards Breakfast in front of all award winners and contestants. 

“The Specsavers brand has certainly become a centrepiece of Australian retail. Specsavers first came to the Australian market in 2007 as a wholesale business before opening their first stores in 2008 in Melbourne. There followed one of the fastest retail roll-outs ever seen in Australia with 100 Specsavers stores opened over the course of just 100 days – a truly inspiring retail story that needs to be shared,” Mr Zimmerman said. 

Derek Dyson said it was an honour to be invited to give the keynote address at the 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast. 

“The retail industry has endured some tough times in recent years but it is important to remember that it is a cornerstone of the Australian economy - and needs to be seen as such, not just by retailers but also beyond. The ARA Awards are part of that and give all retailers, large and small, the opportunity to show just how good they are and just how focussed they are on their customers and the community at large. 

“For us at Specsavers, as a relative newcomer to the retail landscape across Australia, we were really thrilled to win two major awards at last year’s ARA Awards. Our offer of professional eye care matched with high quality, affordable eyewear has been embraced by the community. At the 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast I’m looking forward to sharing my views on how retailers can succeed in the face of ever-present competition,” Mr Dyson said. 

The ARA is calling on Australian retailers to prepare and submit their nominations for the 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards. 

 key information and dates:

WHAT: 2014 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards
WHEN: Nominations now open and due by Friday 16 May 2014
Winners will be announced at the eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards Breakfast in Melbourne on 15 July 2014 (tickets available at www.australianretailawards.com.au).
TO ENTER/NOMINATE: Visit www.australianretailawards.com.au to view eligibility criteria and select from eleven award categories
MORE INFORMATION: Go to www.australianretailawards.com.au, call 1300 368 041 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

AWARD CATEGORIES: eftpos Australian Retailer of the Year, BDO Australian Retail Employer of the Year, Visa Australian Independent Retailer of the Year, Quest Payment Systems Australian Retail Innovator of the Year, Expr3ss! Staff Selection Software Australian Retail Graduate of the Year, eBay Inc Australian Multichannel Retailer of the Year, FCB Australian Retail HR Practitioner of the Year, Rest Industry Supermale & female, Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Retailer of the Year, Victorian Government Victorian Retailer of the Year and the Shop for Shops Australian Retail Store Upgrade of the Year.

Visit www.australianretailawards.com.au, call 1300 368 041 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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