We have five candidates for this year’s Market Entry Award: Ao.com, Lululemon, Miss Guided, Moss Bros and MRP. Please read through their commendations below before submitting your vote at the bottom of the page. Choose your favourite from the list or select up to three in order of preference.
“ Whether a newly-founded retailer with sharp elbows creating a space, or an established retailer embracing multichannel, this Award is to recognise a new market entrant who – since leaving the blocks within the last three years – has caught the eye of both customers and peers (now known as ‘competitors’!). This Award goes to the retailer that’s not only made a splash, but who looks to be making ripples for a good while to come – perhaps into another Award next year! ”
Criteria
- UK or European retailers are eligible
- These are retailers who exemplify the successful entrepreneurial start-up
- Not necessarily a large turnover, but must be seen as capably building market share.
Nominees
Ao.com [show-irdx raoc]
From white label provider of white-goods microsite, Ao.com has established itself as a major retailer with a new domain, logo and shiny IPO behind it.
With 4000 products and 20,000 orders a day, although the company was established in 2000, the customer facing brand has established itself very recently, in particular making good use of social media as an integrated part of brand-building.
References:
- http://internetretailing.net/2013/10/ao-com-launches-same-day-delivery/
- http://www.retail-week.com/technology/online-retail/aocom-supplier-buy-in-essential-to-see-return-on-investment-in-social-media/5054411.article
- http://www.smartinsights.com/conversion-optimisation/ab-multivariate-testing/managing-cro-appliances-online/
Lululemon [show-irdx rlul]
Lululemon is new to the UK, with a London flagship store just opened, but is an established retailer/yoga brand in Canada. The company has gone about inspiring UK shoppers through a variety of innovative events, from a workout at the Royal Albert Hall to appointing yoga teachers as brand ambassadors.
Resource: http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/spiritual-capitalism-global-fitness-brand-lululemon-comes-to-london-9232686.html
Miss Guided [show-irdx rmgu]
“A great new brand with huge success, already in the mind of the public”, says one of our Judges in his nomination. Founded in 2009, currently at £55m turnover and targeting £100m by 2015, growth is coming from international expansion as well as UK. Miss Guided’s Manchester roots keep it in contact with both the supply chain and UK manufacture, allowing it to respond rapidly to new trends and offer on trend items, rapidly and the right price.
Miss Guided is a confident home-grown success with a cult following of fans who look to them for inspiration as well as an easy means of shopping. With December sales up 60% YOY the growth plans look well-founded!
Resource: http://internetretailing.net/2014/05/missguided-expands-overseas-in-search-of-growth/
Moss Bros [show-irdx rmos]
The re-launch of the web platform in 2013 led to a 175% uplift in Ecommerce Revenues Year on Year, 50000 new customers, A doubling in the conversion rate on average. The company also introduced Click and Collect services which account for 20% of revenue and a mobile site which generates 8% of revenue. This ‘renaissance’ of the brand in its new guise allows it to quality for the market entry category.
MRP [show-irdx rmpr]
MRP, formerly Mr Price, is par of a £1bn-turnover South African-based retailing group expanding into the global marketplace. MRP.com has a new UK-specific offering that combined the value for money approach with young urban style.
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Next up: The Service Sector Award
