Peak retail industry body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has announced the category winners for the industry's top honour - Australian Retailer of the Year.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said Australian Retailer of the Year category winners Aldi (food, drink and grocery), Country Road (clothing and footwear), Subway (restaurants, cafés and takeaway) and L'Occitane (specialty retailing) would now go onto compete for the overall title and the highest accolade in the retail industry.

"This year the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) invited retailers across the country to vote for the Australian Retailer of the Year across a range of categories," Zimmerman said.

"With the votes now tallied, Aldi, Country Road, Subway and L'Occitane have been awarded category titles by their industry peers and will go head-to-head to have the crown handed down from reigning Australian Retailer of the Year Supercheap Auto.

"After over 12 months of reduced consumer demand and falling retail sales, the Australian Retailer of the Year judges will be looking for outstanding performances and displays of ingenuity, innovation and business nous during an extremely difficult trading period.

"The Australian Retailer of Year will be announced at the National Retail Forum in Melbourne on 11 August 2009," Zimmerman said.  

The ARA Australian Retail Awards program is designed to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the growth and development of their businesses and their contributions towards retailing in Australia. Award categories in 2009 include Independent Retailer, Retail Innovation, ARA Young Retailer and Retailer of the Year. 

www.australianretailawards.com.au or contact 1300 368 041