6 November 2013: Michael Page, part of global recruitment firm PageGroup, has begun its search for the next talented retail professional to take out the Michael Page Retail Executive Award for 2014. Now in its second year, the winner of the award will once again take a coveted place on the next Westfield World Retail Study Tour departing in May 2014.The retail industry in Australia continues to provide both opportunities and challenges for retail businesses across the spectrum of sectors, from fashion to consumer electronics. As global retail trends make their impact felt on the domestic market, the 2014 Westfield World Retail Study Tour will give one senior level retail professional the opportunity to witness firsthand the latest developments occurring in five key retail destinations around the globe – San Francisco, Seattle, Stockholm, London and Barcelona.“The Westfield World Retail Study Tour is a unique professional development experience capped at just 40 individuals each year, and we are delighted to partner with Westfield once again to offer this experience to a high performing retail professional, “ says Richard Wynn, Regional Director of Michael Page. “Once again we will be looking for applicants who have demonstrated thought-leadership and innovations in their business and, similarly to the 2013 winner Warren Wilmot, Chief Executive Officer of 7-Eleven, are as passionate about the retail industry as we are,” he adds.The two week 2014 Westfield World Retail Study Tour will give the next Michael Page Retail Executive Award recipient an opportunity to immerse themselves in global retail best practice and get an up close and personal view of the retail markets in the five destinations. Commenting on his experience earlier this year as the inaugural Michael Page Retail Executive Award winner, Mr Wilmot says the 2013 Westfield World Retail Study Tour was a fantastic experience and opportunity to meet some of the world’s best retailers and see the developments occurring in technology, merchandising techniques and innovations.“The best part of the tour was spending time with a broad group of retailers and architects and people genuinely interested in retail. To put the two together – win the award and experience the Westfield World Retail Study Tour – was great,” Mr Wilmot says. “I’d recommend people enter the award; it forces you to articulate why you think there’s something in your retail business worth doing.”Adds Mr Wynn; “Our ongoing involvement with the Michael Page Retail Executive Award demonstrates our continued commitment to the retail profession and focus on encouraging and rewarding innovation through career development and continual learning opportunities.”Innovative retail professionals who have made an outstanding contribution to their business over the last six months are encouraged to enter the 2014 Michael Page Retail Executive Award. For more information about the award and to complete the application form visit: www.michaelpage.com.au/retailexecutiveaward.
