The National Retail Association (NRA) has awarded its most prestigious annual award, the 2015 Young Retailer of the Year, at a gala dinner in Sydney overnight.
Frenchs Forest’s Medina Cicak, a 24 year old Graduate Leader-Human Resource Officer, and RSC Generalist for Yum! Restaurants International for KFC Australia, was a finalist for the third year in a row, but this year made it through the four-stage judging process to take the top gong.
Cicak said winning the award would give her the unprecedented chance to grow her leadership skills and help build a network within the broader retail sector that could then filter down throughout her teams within KFC Australia.
“Understanding what was outside of just my little bit of retail was what inspired me to apply for the Young Retailer of the Year Award,” Cicak said.
As part of her 2015 NRA Young Retailer of the Year prize package, Cicak will take up a coveted place on Westfield’s 2016 World Retail Study Tour, where she will spend two weeks learning from a number of retail executives.
Trevor Evans, CEO, NRA, said the future leaders had demonstrated that to compete and prosper in this challenging market, they had to be savvy in all areas.
“They are proving that the retail industry can fulfil Gen Y’s desire for a dynamic and exciting career,” Evans said.
“We are extremely proud of all our young retailers, as well as the collective achievements of the broader retail sector. Together, we are strengthening the industry for a brighter and more prosperous future.”
Other winners awarded overnight include:
- Runner Up: Laura Conquer, 25, Property Graduate, Coles, Hawthorn East VIC
- Scholarship Award: Gemma Kariotoglou, 24, Store Manager, Fossil Group, Castle Hill NSW
- Leadership Award: Scott Philips, 24, Store Manager, Kmart, Toormina NSW
- Rising Star Award: Tammy Drew, 21, Department Manager, Target, Success WA
