Hailing 2008's heroes

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Planet Retail reveals the winners of the Innovation Awards after the industry's rollercoaster year.

With retailers and restaurant operators facing one of the toughest consumer markets in living memory, the judging panel, comprised of intelligence provider Planet Retail's global team of analysts, monitoring more than 7000 retail banner operations and market developments in 211 countries, said this year's innovations "reflect modifications to existing formats rather than totally new concepts which break the mould".

However, despite economic uncertainty, judges noted that many retailers were playing to consumers' heightened awareness of pricing through fun and creative promotional campaigns.

Marketing - Private Labels

Winner: Picard, France

Once consigned to the retail wasteland, frozen food specialists are currently enjoying something of a revival. French retailer Picard is capitalising on constrained consumer spending to offer a cheaper and healthy alternative to chilled food.

Private labels are at the forefront of its proposition, comprising some 1000 products from aperitifs to seafood, meat, poultry, vegetables, fruit, hors d'oeuvres, ready meals and desserts.

Not only does it stock an impressive range of products, but the depth is surprisingly large, with 30 varieties of frozen vegetables, 20 types of fruits and fruit salads, 130 sea products, 150 starters, nearly 200 pre-cooked dishes, 55 pastries and more than 200 ice creams and frozen desserts. Products are invitingly presented in bright, colourful packaging, which feature photos.

Most Innovative New Concepts - Hypermarket Superstores

Winner: GourmetCITY, India

Developed by K Raheja, one of India's leading manufacturing conglomerates, GourmetCITY is an upmarket grocery store. First launched in July last year, the 1000m² store is one of the first of its kind in India.

Products are sourced from across the globe, designed to encourage customers to experience new tastes. A wide variety of fresh produce and delicatessen-style products are presented in a dynamic environment in which customer service features strongly.

Marketing - Promotional Campaign

Winner: Papa John's, USA

Last year witnessed US pizza chain Papa John's reposition itself away from a purveyor of fast food to an organic, healthy food provider. To promote the launch of its nutritional whole wheat crust pizza, Papa John's teamed up with the Colorado Wheat Commission, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the Wheat Foods Council and ConAgra Mills to commission the ‘earthworks' artist Stan Herd to create an innovative marketing campaign.

Requiring 600 hours of work, Herd created an all-natural masterpiece in a six-acre field, representing the whole wheat pizza topped with pepperonis (red munch), green peppers (corn stalks), black olives (black munch) and cheese (harvest wheat).

Most Innovative New Concepts - Entertainment Electronics Supply EEO

Winner: Reliance Timeout, India

In late 2007 one of the most ambitious Indian supermarket retailers Reliance Retail launched one of the first organised EEO retail formats in the country trading as Reliance Timeout. The 1500m² superstores offer books, music, stationery, toys, gifts and more than 30,000 book titles sourced from national and international publishers.

Most Innovative New Concepts - Discount Store

Winner: Lidl UK

In a major departure from its usual strategy, in mid-2008 Schwarz Group-owned Lidl opened a trial convenience-oriented discount store under the name Lidl Express, although Express was subsequently dropped from the name.

The outlet in Edmonton, north London, is roughly half the size of a new purpose-built Lidl store and includes features commonly seen in convenience stores, such as a coffee station for hot drinks and a bakery oven where staff prepare fresh bread and rolls throughout the day.

Most Innovative New Concepts - Drug Store

Winner: Murale, Canada

In keeping with its reputation for innovation and ‘pushing the agenda', Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) has launched a new concept in the Canadian drugstore market trading as Murale.

Referred to it as a unique concept, Murale is designed to bring the "best in beauty brands and expertise together in this fantastic new beauty destination". Combining beauty and dermatological products with professionally trained staff, the first store, which opened in Ottawa, features leading cosmetics brands including Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Lancôme and Nars.

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