Marija Barbarich is our guest writer this newsletter. Marija is Group Marketing Coordinator for Retailworld Resourcing (RWR). I highly regard the work RWR provides in recruitment services to the retail job sector. Their team have extensive backgrounds in both retail and recruitment meaning they know how to nail the needs of retailers to connect them with the right candidates.
Large category winner (1000+ FTE) Farmers Trading Company.
“unleashing the potential of every employee. Great culture and a high performing company.”
New studies reveal that unemployment in New Zealand is at a record low since 2008, with the Retail sector largely contributing to this. As a result, employers are finding it harder and harder to attract and retain top talent.
In this competitive environment, employment branding is proving to give brands a competitive advantage, placing stand out brands as those with attractive employment propositions. Employers should to ask, why would someone want to work for my brand? And, how do I retain my current workforce?
Retailworld launched Retail Employer of the Year in 2010 to recognise businesses that embrace, promote and have an outstanding employment brand. It’s a people’s choice award that encourages past or present staff as well as the general public and customers to vote for the company that they think stands out from the rest.
Retail Employer of the Year has continued to raise the awareness of careers in retail, celebrating employment branding, recognising brands that do it well. We have seen significant growth in the participation and diversity of businesses involved, and the increased commitment from organisations to employment branding, raising the standard for our industry.
ASB’s Cube Bar at Auckland’s North Wharf hosted the Retail Employer of the Year event last week where Finalists and Winners were announced and celebrated among Retail Industry Professionals, including Guest Speaker Juanita Neville Te Rito.
Juanita is the Founder and Retail Strategy Director of Retail X. Juanita has 20+ years’ experience in the Australasian market working at Executive level. Delving into the topic of authenticity, Juanita shared her knowledge and experience on how authenticity is a key driver to companies’ success, transcending the organisation from the top to the front line – where the ultimate customer interaction and sales occur.
Employers should seek to place their best staff at the front of the customer, making every customer interaction the beginning of brand loyalty. That’s where employment branding comes in, attract and retain the best and your customers will benefit.
Three Retail Employer of the year Finalists are announced per category. Categories are based on full time equivalent staff numbers across the business including shopfront and support office roles. One of the three Finalists per category is announced as the Winner of Retail Employer of the Year.
Large category finalists (1000+ FTE) included; Kmart, The Warehouse, and Farmers, with Farmers taking out the winning title. A Farmers voter commented “unleashing the potential of every employee. Great culture and a high performing company.”
Digital Mobile, Merchant Group, and Spark Retail were the finalists for the medium category (101 - 1000 FTE), won by Spark Retail. One voter commented “Best Company. Best Service. Best Products.”
Spark Retail winners of the Medium category (101 - 1000 FTE)
This year’s small category Winner (less than 100 FTE) was Deadly Ponies, while Taking Shape and Jeanswest were recognised as Finalists. One voter commended Deadly Ponies for “offering a generous retail rewards scheme and, excellent HR practices in place to support on boarding, performance and development, they are committed to doing the best by their team.”
This year’s small category Winner (less than 100 FTE) was Deadly Ponies
Retailworld congratulates all entrants, finalists and winners of 2018 Retail Employer of the Year. With record numbers of retail brands participating, this reflects a positive move by the industry to attract and retain the best talent.