Nominations for the awards close on Wednesday, June 1, 2010.

There are two Special Star Awards per region: the Retailer of the Year and Service Provider of the Year Awards.

“These awards recognise retailers and service providers who provide exceptional levels of customer service, contributing positively to South Africa’s shopping centre industry,” explains Amanda Stops, General Manager of the SACSC. 

Qualifying for the Retail of the Year category are all supermarkets, national retailers, line shops, restaurants and fast food outlets. In the Service Provider of the Year category, all service providers which operate at a shopping centre can be considered, including cleaning, securing, landscaping and parking companies.

“The SACSC would like to encourage everyone to nominate the retailer and service provider that they believe should receive top honours and be acknowledged as leaders in the retail sector. This is all about positive experiences and success stories,” says Stops.

Nominations are free and will be accepted from customers, shopping centre owners, managers and managing agents. To nominate a retailer or service provide visit www.sacsc.co.za.

“Customer service is a significant part of the shopping experience and an integral part of what makes a successful shopping trip,” explains Stops. “We want to know what pleases South African’s most at our shopping centres so that we can all learn from the best examples.”

The SACSC will host regional Special Star Awards Dinners in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal from July to September 2011, where these retailers and service providers will be recognised on a regional level.

The regional Special Star Award winners will automatically be entered into the 2011 Spectrum Awards National Retailer of the Year and National Service Provider of the Year awards to be presented at a gala event in Gauteng in October 2011.

The SACSC Spectrum Awards, is a national platform for honouring achievements in innovation, creativity, vision and excellence across all disciplines and all sectors within the South African retail industry. The Spectrum Awards are the ultimate South African retail accolade and are hotly contested.