imrg - the voice of e-retail

 

e-Commerce Awards for Excellence


Many thanks to all the companies that have contributed entries and nominations for the e-Commerce Awards for Excellence. The winners were announced on the 20th October at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in front of 240 ecommerce industry leaders and pioneers.

If you have any queries please contact Paul on 020 7189 5533

The 14 awards are listed below with details of the short list and winners.

Awards List
Online Gold Award (OLGA) Re-design/Re-Launch of the Year
Multi-Channel Retailer Customer Experience
Pure Play Retailer Use of User Generated Content
Green / Ethical Practice in e-commerce Customer Service
Best use of Rich Media e-Commerce Personality of the Year
Cross Border Innovation Best Marketing Initiative
e-Commerce Site Innovation Innovation in Delivery


OnLine Gold Award


(OLGA) for the Best e-Commerce Site 2009
Voted for by IMRG members, and retailers are not allowed to vote for their own site.

It is no surprise given the industry we are in that there was a very long tail of e-commerce sites voted for by IMRG Members, The result in reverse order are:

Third place - Play.com
Second place and runner-up - John Lewis.com
First place and winners of the 2009 OnLine Gold Award for best e-commerce site voted by the Members of IMRG is -
ASOS.com

Sponsored by:UK Fast



Best Multi-channel Retailer


What the judges wanted to see?
Excellent choice, user experience and strong sales will be a given but judges will also be looking for evidence that this is a retailer who is truly committed to e-commerce, understands its importance in the retail mix, constantly innovates and uses e-commerce to benefit the wider business.

Winner
Clarks
The judges agreed that Clarks are enriching the customer experience whilst maintain brand values across all channels.

Short List

B&Q
Clarks
Kiddicare

Sponsored by:AOL UK



Best Pure-play Retailer


What the judges wanted to see?
Excellent choice, user experience and strong sales will be a given but judges will also be looking for evidence that this is a retailer who is truly committed to online retail demonstrating true innovation and market leadership.

Winner
ASOS.com
Head and shoulders above a very competitive field, showing true innovation and market leadership.

Short List
Amazon
ASOS.com
Firebox

Sponsored by:PayPal



Leading Green/Ethical practice in e-Commerce


What the judges wanted to see?
Judges will look for evidence that the site is the go-to online store and information source for this market sector. Great product choice, strong sales and outstanding service will be expected along with any additional services and content that demonstrates that the company understands its customers’ specialist needs.

Winner
Ocado
Applying green values holistically across all aspects of their business.

Short List
Gaiam
Howies
Ocado




Best Use of Rich Media Award


What the judges wanted to see?
We’re looking for the most imaginative and best use of video content to enhance the customer experience. Crucially we need to see evidence that video engagement has led to increased business and a more positive experience for the customer.

Winner
Littlewoods.com
The judges recognised the scale of the project and the outstanding results that were achieved.

Short List
easyJet
Littlewoods.com
Miss Selfridges




Cross Border e-Retail Innovation Award


What the judges wanted to see?
We’re looking for clear evidence of increased sales in overseas markets, and the application of a multi-lingual/multi-currency web site providing a rich consumer experience with excellent delivery options together with clear and demonstrable returns and customer service.

Winner
The Book Depository
An innovative approach to an international network successfully optimising business reach across the globe.

Short List
The Book Depository
Digital Village
iCongo

Sponsored by:Barclaycard



e-Commerce Site Innovation Award


What the judges wanted to see?
This development could relate to content, service, technology , marketing or all of them. What we’re looking for is something original, exciting and which advances the e-commerce cause. Crucially we need evidence that the innovation has led to increased business for the e-retailer and a more positive experience for the customer.

Winner
Ocado
A rare example of an online retailer successfully extending their service into another channel through mobile technology.

Short List
British Airways

Evans Cycles
Ocado

Sponsored by:Brandbank



Re-design/Re-launch of the Year Award


What the judges wanted to see?
This relates to content, and overall look and feel. What we’re looking for is evidence that the changes have led to increased business for the retailer and a more positive experience for the customer.

Winner
Sainsbury's
Whilst increasing the diversity of offering, Sainsbury’s have continued to improve their customer experience.

Short List
The Book Depository
Firebox
Sainsbury's

Sponsored by:FactFinder



Best Customer Experience


What the judges wanted to see?
Ease of use, clarity and variety of photography, editorial content, excellent product offer, informative product descriptions, outstanding customer service, and innovative and appropriate use of technology will all be taken into consideration, along with any other factors that make the experience of buying from the site an enjoyable and easy one.

Winner
ASOS.com
The judges recognised with this Award that ASOS continue to raise the bar for customer experience.

Short List
ASOS.com
eSpares
Firebox

Sponsored by:Adobe Scene 7



User Generated Content Innovation Award


What do the judges want to see?
We’re looking for the most imaginative and best use of UGC content to enhance the customer experience. What we need to see is evidence that UGC is being used across channels and as part of the marketing message to drive sales and improve customer experience.

Winner
ASOS.com
The judges saw clear evidence of the customer engaging with the brand.

Short List
Argos
ASOS.com
QVC




Best Customer Service Award


What do the judges want to see?
Who has gone the “extra mile” to really help their customers? We need to see clear evidence/testimonials that your customer service team are the best in e-commerce.

Winner
Sainsbury's
The judges felt that Sainsbury’s clearly demonstrated that they are putting their customers at the forefront of their business.

Short List
Firebox
Kiddicare
Sainsbury's

Sponsored by:Home Delivery Network



e-Commerce Personality of the Year



This Award was pulled from list.




Best e-Commerce Marketing Initiative


What do the judges want to see?
This award will recognise the company that demonstrate either through a continual or one-off marketing activity that it knows how to drive traffic and more crucially sales from its website. Online, offline or live-event activities, or a combination of all three, will be considered. But what’s most important here is the results.

Winner
Game Group Stores
The judges felt that Games’ marketing initiative delivered truly outstanding results.

Short List
Game group Stores
M&M Direct
Theshampooshop.com




Innovation In Delivery Award


What the judges wanted to see?
This award will recognise the company that can demonstrate, through service improvements, product innovation and technological enhancements a measured improvement in service and customer satisfaction.

Winner
DPD
The judges felt that certain carriers had made significant advances in the services they were now offering for eCommerce and the carrier leading the market has been DPD…particularly providing flexibility for the recipient to confirm or change their delivery day after the parcel has been dispatched.

Short List
ASOS.com
DPD
Home Delivery Network

Sponsored by:MetaPack



How To Enter



Many thanks to all the companies that have contributed entries and nominations for the e-Commerce Awards for Excellence 2009. We look forward to reading your entry for 2010 awards.

If you have any queries please contact Paul on 020 7189 5533

Danny Wallace Asos.com - Altogther

Sainsburys - 1