The National Online Retailers Association (NORA) has hosted its 5th annual Australian Retail Solution Partners Awards at The Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney.
The Awards gather the solutions ecosystem to celebrate and recognise partnership achievements across retail. Nominations were voted on by retailers and reviewed by the NORA advisory council.
The judging panel including chair of the panel, Peter Knock, Adore Beauty chief marketing officer, Dan Ferguson, Go-To Skincare chief marketing officer, Leonie Faddy, Barbeques Galore commercial sales manager, David Campbell, The Iconic ex-CEO, Erica Berchtold, Myer general manager of e-commerce, Lynna Barnard, Greencross chief information officer, Richard McPartlin and RM Williams enterprise architect, Sam Bala.
Award winners share what the recognition means to them and the value of the NORA Awards for the broader retail industry.
Adyen: Best All-Round Payments Provider
“We are honoured to be recognised, for the third consecutive time as Best All-Round Payments Provider at the NORA Awards last week. The award is a testament to Adyen’s ongoing commitment to providing seamless, secure, and innovative payment solutions for the retail industry,” Adyen country manager for Australia and New Zealand, Hayley Fisher.
“It also highlights the remarkable work of our team in their relentless focus towards customer satisfaction and their ability to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of the market. The NORA award is a key industry asset not just for its recognition of excellence, for also for its ability to set the benchmark in retail industry standards, and we’re proud to be part of this vibrant community.”
Airwallex: Best Cross-Border Payments Provider
“With more Australian retailers than ever before looking to grow beyond borders we’re proud to be their go-to partner. The NORA Awards are an important recognition of all that work that goes into bringing a product to market and helping a business grow. We’re honoured to have been named as a winner. Retailers are facing unprecedented pressure on their time and their cost base which is going to make the role of trusted partners like Airwallex even more important in 2024,” Airwallex managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Luke Latham said.
Amblique: Best All-Round Commerce Partner of the Year*
Congratulations on the Award win!
Asset Factory: Best Tech Start-Up
“It means a great deal to us to have won this award and congratulations to NORA for the commitment to the e-commerce industry in Australia. When we established Asset Factory in Melbourne in 2022, we were confident our unique automated content creation solution would deliver demonstrable productivity benefits to ecommerce retailers. Receiving this recognition so early in our journey validates that belief,” Asset Factory general manager of Australia, Craig Dunsford said.
“The Best Tech Start-Up Award presents a valuable opportunity for more retailers to be exposed to our innovative solution, where consistent, high quality and efficiently produced content is critically important to successful sales and marketing performance. The end game is ensuring the consumer has the best possible online experience to drive better brand and sales outcomes.
“Our Melbourne studio is at the heart of our product photography solution for retailers. Service options include shooting to brief or DIY, where clients can access the technology themselves, with no photographer required. There is also the option for Asset Factory to supply the Profoto Styleshoots technology if the scale of demand is significant. Based on the feedback to date and this award, we know it’s already making a huge difference to our early adopter clients.”
Bazaarvoice: Best User Generated Content Tool
“Bazaarvoice is extremely proud to win the NORA awards for Best User Generated Content Tool. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our team and the invaluable support from our customers, for which we are immensely grateful for,” Bazaarvoice marketing specialist, Melissa Oval said.
Contentsquare: Best Breakthrough Customer Analytics
“Contentsquare is honoured to have received the Best Breakthrough Customer Analytics category at the NORA Awards. We’re humbled to be recognised especially for product innovation and we’re thrilled to be a part of these Awards, which certainly help enhance the digital experience analytics industry. Looking forward to 2024,” Contentsquare Asia Pacific and Japan senior vice president, Albert Nel said.
CouriersPlease: Best Carrier
“At CouriersPlease we are delighted to have won the NORA Best Carrier award for 2023. This is an endorsement of our strategy in what has been a year of record growth. The timing could not be better; its great recognition for hard work done by our franchise partners and team members at this busy time of year,” CouriersPlease CEO, Richard Thame said.
Ecom Nation: Best Retail Marketing Agency
“Ecom Nation was born out of a desire to shake up the digital agency landscape, creating a space that’s truly by retailers, for retailers. Winning the Best Retail Marketing Agency Award isn’t just a validation of our vision – it’s a resounding endorsement that when agencies and clients collaborate as true partners, it’s not just smart; it’s the way it should be done,” Ecom Nation managing director, Mal Chia said.
Flagship: Best In-Store Innovation
“At Flagship, we don’t do what we do for awards, however it is nice to be recognised by our contemporaries in the industry as a company that is excelling in brick-and-mortar innovation. The Awards are validation for us that we are making a positive impact in the industry and that our retailers notice and appreciate what we are doing,” Flagshipfounder, Simon Molnar said.
Forter: Best Anti-Fraud Partner
“The Forter team were thrilled to be awarded Best Anti-Fraud Partner at this year’s NORA Solution Partner Awards. The NORA Awards highlight the continued value that all solutions providers add to the retailers and eCommerce merchants. We would like to thank our wonderful customers and partners for helping us achieve this award and look forward to continuing to contribute to the ever-growing e-Commerce community,” Forter regional marketing lead for ANZ and SEAI, Nathan Matthews said.
Impact.com: Best Marketing Tech Solution
“We’re thrilled to be recognised by our customers for the Best Marketing Tech Solution award. While we’re a technology business, our customers’ success is always at the forefront of everything we do. A huge thank you to NORA for bringing the industry together. What a special night for vendors and retailers alike,” Impact.com marketing lead for Australia and New Zealand, Laurence Nelmes said.
Incubeta: Best Digital Agency*
Congratulations on the Award win!
Inside Retail: Best Retail Media Content
“Securing this award for the fifth consecutive year is a testament to the team’s dedication and enthusiasm in delivering hyper-relevant local and global retail news. Over the past 12 months, we’ve made substantial investments to enhance user experience. This, coupled with our successful expansion into the US market, significantly enriches the global insights and coverage for readers of Inside Retail Australia and beyond,” Octomedia CEO, Amie Larter said.
“The NORA Awards provide a valuable platform to truly appreciate the genuine impact the supplier ecosystem has on the Australian retail market. Serving as the backbone of the industry, these businesses rightfully deserve recognition for their indispensable contributions.”
Interparcel: Best Cross-Border Shipping Solution
“Winning the 2023 Best-Cross Border Shipping Solution has been an absolute honour. We couldn’t be more grateful to all the businesses who voted for us, and our incredible team whose hard work played a major role in this achievement,” Interparcel CEO, Steve Zammit said.
“This award reflects our commitment to helping Australian retailers expand internationally. At Interparcel, we believe a key differentiator in our service is our dedication to unparalleled customer support. We recognise that most retailers lack expertise when it comes to creating an effective shipping strategy, which is why our team of industry experts is here to help.
“We’re committed to creating custom shipping strategies unique to every customer, simplifying the shipping process, and freeing up time to focus on growing their business. In addition, our customer service team is always on hand to assist with any enquiries and issues. We believe this level of support is necessary to help small to medium-sized businesses thrive, and winning this award is a confirmation that what we’re doing is working. That’s why we will continue to listen to our customers, expand our services, and develop our technology.
“The NORA Awards connect retailers with solution providers, creating a collaborative environment for businesses to thrive together. The submission process focuses on showcasing the uniqueness of each nominee, and the awards ceremony serves as a platform for networking and celebration, fostering community within the industry.”
Klaviyo: Best Marketing Automation
“We’re thrilled about winning the ‘Best Marketing Automation’ award, a testament to the tireless dedication of our entire Klaviyo community. A heartfelt thanks goes out to our amazing team, partners and customers, whose unwavering support has been our backbone. This recognition by our industry peers is not just an honour; it’s a powerful motivator that propels us to elevate our innovative marketing solutions even further,” Klaviyo Asia Pacific managing director, Suzy Nicoletti said.
Mirakl: Best Marketplace Platform
“We are extremely grateful to have such strong customers in Australia and to be recognised as the leader in marketplace software by retailers is a great honour. We are continuously investing in the Mirakl platform, bringing innovations in the last two years that help our customers to operate more efficiently with AI-powered features and go beyond marketplace with retail media, payments and personalisation. The NORA Solution Partner awards validate the impact of a vendor’s partnership with their customers and provide proof points that we are the right partner for the retail industry not just in Australia but around the world,” Mirakl general manager for APAC, Tzipi Avioz said.
MyDeal: Best Marketplace
“Winning the Best Marketplace category at the NORA Solution Provider Awards for the second year in a row is a testament to the team, knowledge, experience and technology that powers the MyDeal marketplace. NORA consistently brings together the best people in our industry, and to be recognised among our quality peers makes this award a particularly valuable accolade. MyDeal is just one of the marketplaces available on the Woolworths MarketPlus platform; a new way for businesses to sell and manage products across Woolworths Group marketplaces, including MyDeal, Big W Market and Everyday Market,” MyDeal general manager of operations, Kieran Boyce said.
Preezie: Best E-Commerce Integrator
“This prestigious recognition validates our relentless commitment to reshaping the e-commerce landscape. It signifies that our innovative solutions, including nextbuy, journeys, and shopper profiles, are not merely effective but industry-defining. The award shows our dedication to addressing pressing challenges faced by retailers and marks us as a thought leader and a trusted solution partner in the Australian retail industry. The NORA Awards are a beacon for recognising excellence in the retail sector. For companies like preezie, winning an award is a testament to the tireless efforts invested in developing solutions that truly make a difference,” Preezie marketing manager, Melina Nheng said.
Ramp: Best Multichannel Tech Innovation
“This recognition endorses our commitment to driving innovation in the retail industry. RFID inventory management solutions provide retailers superior inventory visibility for better customer experiences across channels, which ultimately leads to better sales and reduced waste. We’re driven by amazing partnerships with our customers, and it means the world to us that they would take the time to vote in recognition of that. Awards like NORA are important as they encourage everyone in the industry to keep pushing the boundaries and setting new benchmarks,” Ramp marketing and relationship manager, Felicity Sweeney said.
Refundid: Best Returns Innovation
“The NORA Partner Solution Awards is one of the highlights of the year. It provides a platform that celebrates and highlights achievements in e-commerce and retail. Being part of such a prestigious event not only boosts our morale but also allows us to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and foster collaboration. It’s a testament to the vibrant ecosystem that NORA has cultivated, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation,” Refundid head of retail partnerships, Ed Liston said.
Searchspring: Best E-commerce Platform & Best Merchandising Solutions
“We are elated to receive not one, but two prestigious NORA Awards. These accolades are a true testament to the unwavering hard work and commitment of our valued team and partners. Our customers are the heartbeat of our mission, fuelling our passion to deliver the ultimate shopper experiences that yield tangible results. These awards are a celebration of our ecommerce community and our continued fast-paced growth we have been achieving for Searchspring in the APAC region,” Searchspring head of Asia Pacific, Kate Massey said.
SHE-com: Best Industry Event
“SHE-com is thrilled to have received the NORA Award for the Best Industry Event in 2023 for SHE-com LIVE. It’s only our second year running the event, but the team and I pour our heart and soul into making sure every aspect of SHE-com LIVE inspires and celebrates women in e-commerce. This award acknowledges our hard work and lets us know we’re on the right track to creating world-class, industry leading events, and we can’t wait to host SHE-com LIVE again in 2024,” SHE-com CEO, Lisa Jones said.
Shippit: Best Fulfilment Technology
“Achieving sustainable growth in the online retail landscape during 2023 has proven to be a challenging journey. Our commitment to supporting retailers extends beyond just label printing; it revolves around constructing vital commerce infrastructure that safeguards the commitments made by both retailers and carrier partners,” Shippitco-founder and CEO, Rob Hango-Zada said.
“At Shippit, we actively engage with retailers of all sizes, investing in collaborative efforts to develop cutting-edge omni-channel fulfillment strategies. One of our proudest achievements is the implementation of the powerful Rules Engine, automating billions of decisions and directing over $1 billion in GMV in 2023 alone. We’ve also introduced innovative services, such as the Smart Routing Bulky delivery, in collaboration with dedicated carriers, addressing real-world challenges faced by retailers striving to meet escalating customer demands.
“The team takes pride in contributing to the significant shift towards sustainable growth for our community of retailers, acknowledging the collective efforts of retailers, carriers, and partners throughout the year. NORA’s recognition is particularly humbling, and we express our gratitude to Paul Greenberg for his continual support in championing positive changes within the industry.”
Skutopia: Best Fulfilment Service Innovator
“This win is more than just an award; it’s a testament to our commitment to pushing boundaries and driving excellence in the order fulfilment world. Thank you to everyone who voted, especially our valued merchants — this achievement would not have been possible without your support. To our dedicated team, from the launch of our Robotic Fulfillment Centre over a year ago, to receiving this award, this is just the beginning of our incredible journey. We’re truly humbled to be recognised by our industry peers and merchants,” Skutopia co-founder and managing director, Talea Bader said.
“We’re honoured to have received this award; beyond the accolades – this means so much to us as a start-up. Industry awards help build and accelerate our brand reputation in online retail. To make the most of the achievement we have created new LinkedIn header and email signature banners for our staff to amplify our new credentials,” Skutopia chief growth officer, Andreas Schmidt added.
Smart In Planning: Best Retail Insights & Best Retail Consultancy
“These wins are so meaningful to me personally, and to the Smart In Planning brand. Since starting the business nine years ago, I’ve been striving to put merchandise planning on the map. It’s a part of retail that is not that well understood and is hugely under-utilised – but it can make the difference of being profitable and staying in business. Winning an award every year, for five consecutive years since the inaugural NORA event, tells me I’m having an impact,” Smart In Planning founder and CEO, Susan Martin said.
“The Awards are powerful because we don’t publish client names and logos. We treat our work as confidential, which can make it challenging to build credibility. These awards are voted by retailers, so the results truly showcase the reach and support we have. It’s our clients and community speaking for us, better than we could ever position ourselves. I love that NORA has created this platform that recognises the hard work and passion that solution partners contribute behind the scenes. It’s also a wonderful validation of my team’s great work (from someone other than me).”
Talent Matters: Best Recruitment Service
“We are so pleased to have won this Award and it is a testament to our teams ongoing hard work and dedication in finding the right talent for our clients within the Retail and Ecommerce sector. Talent Matters is a recruitment agency that partners with clients within this sector and it’s an honour to be recognised by the judging panel and voters that value our service,” Talent Matters director, Sharon Gerber said.
“To see the vast variety of solution partners that this industry rely on, being recognised from Analytics, Innovation, Supply Chain, Platforms, Payments, Marketing and Professional Services is terrific and brings organisations together to celebrate their achievements in 2023.”
The Magic Mirror Project: Best In-Store Innovation
“Winning the NORA award for Best In-Store Innovation for The Shoppable AR Magic Mirror project is incredibly exciting. This win adds significant credibility to a newly launched and highly innovative concept. Going up against established companies that are doing some amazing things in the retail space, we were thrilled to bring this home,” stockinstore head of growth, Rebecka Finn said.
“The Shoppable AR Magic Mirror is already gaining some real traction among retailers who are seeking new ways to elevate the customer experience and drive foot traffic to stores. It’s the space to watch and we’re incredibly excited to be part of it all. The NORA awards shine a light on solution providers, celebrating the hard work we invest in making retailers succeed. Securing the NORA award for the Shoppable AR Magic Mirror project serves as encouragement for everyone to push beyond boundaries, fostering a culture of continued innovation and collaboration to shape the future of retail. A big thank you to NORA for making this happen, and on behalf of the teams at The Party People, ShopExp, stockinstore, Starshipit and Uber – this is a team trophy.”
Thread Together: Best Charity Initiative
“It has been amazing to be recognised by the NORA community for the work that we are doing to protect our planet and look after those most vulnerable. The awards are valuable to us as it helps to raise our profile, so we can ultimately help more people. Thank you, NORA for Thread Together’s win for the charity initiative for 2023,” Thread Together head of marketing, Jenna Nakou said.
Winning Services: Best Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
“Since 2005, Winning Services has provided a free removal and recycling program of appliances and in the last 12 months, we expanded this program to include the take-back and recycling of old mattresses and product packaging, which is also available to our third-party logistics partners, across Australia and New Zealand,” Winning Grouphead of sustainable business and corporate social responsibility, Alice Kuepper said.
“Over a 12-month timeframe, Winning Services helps customers recycle approximately 12,000 tonnes of scrap metal and divert over 2,000 tonnes of packaging waste from landfill achieving an annual average of 80% landfill diversion for packaging waste. To facilitate the recycling of mattresses, Winning Services works where possible with social enterprises such as Soft Landing who deconstruct mattresses manually and are able to achieve a 75% diversion from landfill turning them into roof sheeting, carpet underlay and more.
“Winning Services’ product packaging recycling scheme captures cardboard, expanded polystyrene (EPS) and soft plastics that come with the packaging from supply partners. Winning Services has invested heavily in dedicated staff and sorting areas at all distribution centres to help prevent problematic EPS, cardboard and soft plastic from going into landfill. We are committed to continuing to innovate new solutions and to influence changes in our industry, and customer behaviours, by creating awareness on social and environmental issues.”
Yotpo: Best Loyalty Marketing
“The entire Yotpo team is so proud to be recognised as the best loyalty program provider by NORA. That’s because we hear from our customers every day about how essential customer retention is to their business health,” Yotpo general manager of Australia and New Zealand, Adam Ioakim said.
“The customer success team at Yotpo works so closely with our customers, understanding their business and supporting them to build out bespoke and best in class loyalty programs that demonstrably drive lifetime value. By seamlessly integrating all channels available to a brand, from SMS and email to subscriptions and reviews, they are creating loyalty programs that go beyond technology and bring to life post-purchase customer experiences that cement real customer preference and lifetime value.”
*Retailbiz did not receive comment in time for publication.