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THE BEST IN IRISH RETAIL WINNERS OF THE 2021 RETAIL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

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ARBORETUM WIN

RETAILER OF THE YEAR 2021 Arboretum is a world class garden and lifestyle business with two stores, founded by Rachel Doyle and by her sons Fergal and Barry Doyle, as well as their amazing team. L/R: Fergal Doyle, Rachel Do

yle and Barry Doyle of Arbore

This year Arboretum has pulled out all the stops with a redesigned cafe restaurant and new fashion and wellness offer, as well as a gorgeous Christmas department. Alongside jaw droppingly creative visual merchandising, there are a host of personalisation offers including build your own wreath and terrarium. With regular broadcasts on Instagram live and a storming online offer, Arboretum is better than ever. Arboretum was earlier presented with a Top 5 Award, sponsored by Afex.

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FABIANI CROWNED

STORE OF THE YEAR 2021 Originally a small shoe store, Louise Brennan bought the business in 2010, moving to the current location in 2015 with an ambitious expansion into lifestyle products and fashion.

Louise Brennan, Owner of Fab iani, National Store of the Year Win ner

By 2017, she had added an instore coffee shop and beauty parlour, and was gift wrapping every online order, which was fulfilled from the back of the store. Cue the pandemic and a major investment in the space! Fabiani has now added two more floors to the space, including a dedicated Yoga studio on the top floor with a Lululemon range. Fabiani shows how powerful hospitality, community and creativity are in retail and proves that independent retail can quite easily stand proudly alongside the best brands in the world. Fabiani was earlier in the night presented with a Top 5 Award, sponsored by Adsmart From Sky.

OUR REMAINING TOP5 STORES IN IRELAND IN 2021 ARE:

PETSTOP GALWAY SPONSORED BY JOHNSTON SHOPFITTERS

Petstop never fails to impress with every new store they open and the brand certainly rates as the best-looking pet store operator I have ever seen anywhere in the world. Their new Galway store opened during the pandemic and is simply superb. World class design and

merchandising that borders on perfection. This just goes to show that you can make any product look amazing with the right creative effort and passion from staff. New highlights include a fresh pet bakery offer, personalised pet photo mugs and a host of expert curated ends, promoting innovative products such as CBD for pets and all-natural pet food.

FRANK’S PLACE 1860 WEXFORD SPONSORED BY RADIUS TECHNOLOGIES

Frank’s Place 1860 opened during the pandemic, as a superb new casual dining cafe and delicatessen in the heart of Wexford, with a heritage that stretches back generations.

BROWN THOMAS CORK SPONSORED BY GSLS

Brown Thomas has refreshed their men’s fashion store and joined with other restaurants and bars to create a brand new district feel to a previously neglected area. The rise of al fresco dining is one of the big success stories of the pandemic and it’s great to see Brown Thomas working as part of the wider Cork retail ecosystem.

The store itself has seen major investment over the past year, with refreshed departments, a new shoe gallery, new brand concessions from Le Labo and Lululemon amongst others. Personalisation runs through the store, with superb personal shopping services and a palpable sense of friendly focus from staff. Merchandising standards are superb and the store feels proud and ready for a post pandemic future.

OUR SECTORIAL WINNERS 2021 ARE: Jewellery & Gift Store of the Year Winner:

KILKENNY SHOP, Nassau Street Sponsored by

Restaurant & Coffee House of the Year Winner

INSOMNIA Shackleton Sponsored by

Home & Interiors Store of the Year Winner

DIAMOND FURNITURE