The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is calling on Australian retailers to prepare and submit their nominations for the 2014 ARA Australian Retail Awards.

The ARA Australian Retail Awards are now open across eleven categories. This year’s awards also sees the introduction of a new awards category, Retail Store Upgrade of the Year.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said it was an exciting period for the retail industry and there were countless stories of retailers achieving growth and excellence during challenging times, all of which needed to be told and celebrated.

“The eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards are becoming something of an icon, capturing stories of retailers who are thriving and growing during tough economic times,” Zimmerman said.

“The 2014 Awards are shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before, and we look forward to recognising those retailers that are leading and reinventing the retail industry.”

Award categories include Australian Retailer of the Year, Australian Retail Employer of the Year, Australian Independent Retailer of the Year, Australian Retail Innovator of the Year, Australian Retail Graduate of the Year, Australian Multi-channel Retailer of the Year, Retail HR Practitioner of the Year, Individual Retailer of the Year – male and  female, Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Retailer of the Year, and the Victorian Government’s Victorian Retailer of the Year.

Nominations are due by May 16, 2014.

To nominate or for more information, click here.