Lush Cosmetics has won the customer experience innovation of the year award for large businesses at the annual Retailer Awards Gala presented by Inside Retail and Intermarketing Agency in Melbourne on Thursday night.

The politically-engaged cosmetics brand also bagged the in-store customer experience of the year award, being recognised by judges for its investment in customer service and ability to draw in customers around community initiatives.

“Thanks to our customers for the support you’ve given us over the years. Customers want to choose the kind of world they want to live in when they open their wallets, so please continue to shop consciously,” Lush Australia director Peta Granger told an audience of 500 industry professionals.

“Businesses can use their influence to stand up against hard right politics.”

Lush came out on top of a group of large retail businesses to win the award, demonstrating excellence in 10 different categories judged by a panel of six industry experts, including former Target and Big W chief executive Launa Inman and former Co-op CEO Peter Knock.

Another winner on Thursday night was Prezzee Digital Gift Cards, which took home the customer experience innovation of the year award for small/medium business, the customer initiative of the year award, and the online customer experience of the year award.

Prezzee, an online store that sells other retailers’ gift cards, was recognised for shaking up the gift card industry by bringing the time-tested product into the digital world.

“It’s been a huge year for Prezzee and its going to be an even bigger year this year, thanks to all the team and all our partners,” Prezzee said.

Other winners included Patagonia Australia, Winning Group as well as Super Retail Group brands Rebel and Supercheap Auto.

Full list of 2018 Retailer Awards winners:

• Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics – Customer Experience Innovation of the Year for Large Businesses
• Prezzee Digital Gift Cards – Customer Experience Innovation of the Year for Small or Medium Businesses
• Patagonia Australia – Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year Award
• Appliances Online – Customer Excellence, Team of the Year
• Prezzee Digital Gift Cards – Customer Initiative of the Year Award
• Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics – In-Store Customer Experience of the Year Award
• Winning Appliances – Innovative Store Design of the Year
• Rebel Project Choice & Super Cheap Auto (tied) – Omni Channel Initiative of the Year Award
• Prezzee Digital Gift Cards – Online Customer Experience of the Year Award
• Sustainable Focus – Retail Supplier of the Year Award

“We’re very proud to have this award, there was a lot of blood sweat and tears that went into our store in Fortitude Valley – thanks to our marketing team, operations guys, buying team – thanks to the guys who make it work every day, our in-store team,” Winning Appliances said.

Inside Retail editor and awards judge Jo-Anne Hui Miller said that she felt the standard of entries was higher this year.

“Retailers are striving to create better online experiences for customers, especially in terms of returns and speed of delivery,” she said.