PlaceMakers scoops 2005 Hardware Retial Awards

Media Release

28 October 2005

PlaceMakers scoops awards at the 2005 Hardware Retail Awards

PlaceMakers stores have scooped awards at the 2005 Hardware Retail Awards winning Young Retailer of the Year and two Retail Store of the Year Awards.

Justin Macready, Retail Operations Manager for PlaceMakers Riccarton, won the Young Retailer of the Year Award. Justin is responsible for the management of the store and over 100 staff.

Justin said that entering the awards helped him to learn more about retailing and the hardware industry. Over the next five years he intends to continue his personal development and make a transition from business management to business ownership. As part of his prize he has won a University of Auckland short course and a trip to a top hardware show in Europe or the United States.

PlaceMakers Queenstown won the 2005 Hardware Retail Store of the Year Under 4000 Metres Squared. Kevin McLaughlan, Store Joint Venture Partner, was thrilled with the win, saying the Queenstown team had gone from an old facility which focused largely on the local trade market, to a purpose designed and built facility, completed in December last year, and now enabling staff to show their true retail skills.

"Our staff have embraced the move and thrived in the new store. This award is a well deserved acknowledgement of the team effort put into creating a great retail environment, as well as continuing to provide the same great service to our trade customers," said Kevin.

PlaceMakers Riccarton won the 2005 Hardware Retail Store of the Year Over 4000 Metres Squared. Grant Close, Store Joint Venture Partner, was ecstatic with his new store winning the award, saying the Riccarton staff had worked through 18 months of development while the new facility was constructed around the existing site. The new store opened in October last year.

"Winning this award reaffirms to the professional trade customer that we have built a world-class facility, designed and purpose built to serve their needs. It was particularly gratifying to hear the judges' comments that PlaceMakers Riccarton has set the new benchmark for serving the professional tradesman," said Grant.

The judging process included store visits by the judging panel, a mystery shop and a series of customer exit interviews, all of which played a key role in determining the finalists and winners.

ENDS

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