“The Spectrum Awards 2009 honour innovation, creativity, vision and excellence across all disciplines within the country’s retail industry in four categories: retailer, service provider, design and development and marketing,” says Sisa Ngebulana, President SACSC.

Regional winners and finalists for the Spectrum Awards were determined in 2009 for the Spectrum Awards. The finalists are compared on a national level resulting in the ultimate winners in each category, announced at the ceremony, and the crème-de-la-crème receiving the Spectrum Awards.

“The standard of entries received across the categories for 2009 were of an extremely high standard, and the number of awards received reflect the enthusiasm of an industry which is vibrant and growing,” commented Amanda Stops, SACSC General Manager.

Regional winners of the Retail Design and Development Awards competed against each other for the ultimate national recognition. These awards celebrate exceptional creative distinction and brilliance within the design and development industry.

Finalists for the Spectrum Award for Design and Development were announced as the of renovation and expansion category:  Sunnypark Shopping Centre in Pretoria (developed by Zenprop with architects Design Partnership), winner of the category for shopping centres over 25,000sqm: Mooi Rivier Mall in Patchefstroom (developed by Abacus Asset Management and designed by Stauch Vorsert Architects) and winner of the store or restaurant design category: Grand Central Restaurant at Melrose Arch (owned by Nick Kiros and designed by dhkthinkspace).
Mooi Rivier Mall took ultimate honours and received the Spectrum Award for Design and Development.

In the hotly contested Footprint Marketing Awards, 11 national gold awards were presented. These reward marketing excellence, originality and creativity. The recipients include Brightwater Commons for its ‘Going Green’ campaign (The A-Z Philosophy), Eastgate for the grand opening of its new extension (Mustard Seed), Canal Walk for its promotion Cape Town’s Got Talent (Marketing Concepts), Canal Walk for its grand opening of Boulevard Shopping (Marketing Concepts), Phumulani Mall for its Pick A Box (Kgetha Le Bokisi) Competition (Purple Plum Brand Communications), The Crescent for its Horse Advertising (Primedia Lifestyle), Wonderpark Shopping Centre for its community service Simply-A-Maize-Thing (Eris Property Group), Irene Village Mall for its Prime Circle Rock Concert (Primedia Lifestyle), Menlyn Shopping Centre’s The Menlyn Play Park (Primedia Lifestyle), Bushbuckridge’s promotion Back-to-School is in the Bag (Primedia Lifestyle) and Hyde Park Shopping Centre’s Fashion & Art /”Go Green”/ Exhibition (Bespoke Marketing).

All of the national gold award winners were in the running for top honours. The A-Z Philosophy, Brightwater Commons won the prestigious 2009 Spectrum Award for Marketing Excellence.

The title of National Retailer of the Year was contested by Special Star Regional Retail Award winners Cattle Baron Sunridge Village (Eastern Cape), Exclusive Books Hyde Park (Gauteng), Buxton La Cave Liquors La Lucia Mall (KwaZulu-Natal) and American Swiss Canal Walk (Western Cape).

In celebration of its excellent customer service, Cattle Baron Sunridge Village was named the winner of the Spectrum Award for National Retail of Year.

Vying for the honour of National Service Provider of the year, which is awarded to acknowledge exceptional service within the shopping centre industry, were Special Star Regional Retail Award winners Omega Risk Solutions Summerstrand Village (Eastern Cape), Life Landscapes Irene Village Mall (Gauteng), Enforce Security Services Gateway Theatre of Shopping (KwaZulu-Natal) and Real Landscapes Paarl Mall (Western Cape).

Life Landscapes Irene Village Mall took the Spectrum Award for National Service Provider of the Year.

“The Spectrum Awards provides an ideal opportunity for winners to receive national recognition through their achievements. We are extremely positive about the quality of the entries which demonstrate how the industry is evolving, maturing and innovating,” says Ngebulana.