Excellence in Retailing

As the exclusive New Zealand partner for the Global Innovation Awards (gia), we’re looking for entrants to showcase retail excellence in New Zealand.

What is gia?

The IHA’s gia Awards is a global awards program whose objective is to honor innovative business practices and excellence in home and housewares retailing and visual merchandising around the globe. Established in 2000, the global program is sponsored by the International Housewares Association (IHA) and The Inspired Home Show. Leading housewares publications and retail agencys from around the world are national gia awards co-sponsors.

Find out more about gia

Eligibility
+ award categories

Eligible retailers and gia awards categories

Different types of retailers selling home and housewares may participate in the IHA’s gia competition:

Independent Specialty Homegoods Retailers
Department Stores/Specialty Chain Stores/Mass Market Stores
Internet/Online Retailers (without a physical storefront; a prior authorization by IHA required)

There are no separate categories for different types of retailers, but all participating companies compete for the same gia Global Honoree awards. One winner per trade publication sponsor unless the publication is authorised by the IHA to select more than one winner.

In addition to the general gia awards, the national gia winners have a chance to compete for the

Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising
gia Digital Commerce Award for Excellence in Online Retailing (the online award depending on the total number of eligible applicants).
Top Window Award

Base Criteria – gia Awards

Overall mission statement, vision and strategy
Store design and layout
Visual merchandising, displays and window displays
Marketing, advertising and promotions
Customer service and staff training
Innovation

Free to Enter

Participation in the gia competition is free, offering a unique opportunity for retailers to showcase their excellence without any entry fees.

The benefits

National Winner Benefits

Recognition as a retail leader among peers in home country
High visibility at The Inspired Home Show (Chicago)
A special gia winners' display in a main Show area
A presentation at the gia dinner
Store introduction on IHA's website
Access gia expert jurors’ know-how (Chicago)
Networking with other gia winners – chance to find new business partners, get new ideas, benchmark performance, etc.
Extensive publicity in home country – depending on winners’ pro-active promotions
Opportunity to conduct customer/press events
Boost employee morale and productivity
Enlarged customer base (depending on winners’ promotions) and potential sales increases
Right to use the gia logo, photos and information in marketing and in-store promotions, etc.
Access to other gia-related materials (poster, etc.) that can be used for promotional purposes
Leverage reputation with banks and other institutions