Australia’s 20 Coolest Retailers report was brought to you by Inside Retail and our valued partner, IRI.

Drumroll, please. It’s that time of the year again when we showcase some of our favourite Australian retailers, and we can’t wait to share their stories with you.

A lot has changed since we first launched our 20 Coolest Retailers list in 2019. In a year of bushfires, floods, Black Lives Matter and a global pandemic, it’s no easy feat for a retailer of any size to rise above, think on their feet and continue offering excellent customer experiences. 

This year, even our definition of ‘cool’ has shifted. Last year, we focused on those retailers who were doing something different, fun and fresh with that inexplicable X factor. While those are still important characteristics to consider, this year, we looked at retailers who are doing ‘good’ in the world, such as focusing on sustainability, community, diversity and inclusion. We also considered those who were brave and leaned into coronavirus by listening to their customers and meeting them where they are right now. 

The Coolest Retailers list also features a wide range of Australian businesses across different categories, pureplay and traditional retailers, both large and small.

A special thank you to our incredible judges who shared their insights with us, including Rosanna Iacono, managing partner at The Growth Activists and Matt Newell, partner and CEO and Danny Lattouf, chief strategy officer and partner from The General Store.

Want to find out who made the cut? Click here to download the list. Enjoy!