News

June 21, 2011

E-commerce awards celebrate excellence in online retail

E-commerce businesses can get a publicity boost and showcase their achievements to the rest of the industry by entering the 2011 eCommerce Awards for Excellence.

The awards, now in their third year, acknowledge successful and innovative businesses throughout the e-commerce industry, from online and multi-channel retailers to suppliers of marketing, payment and fulfilment services.

Two of the 17 award categories are aimed specifically at smaller businesses – Best Small Online Retailer and Best Start-up Company. But small businesses can enter up to 17 categories. In 2010, smaller firms walked away with the Best Customer Experience and Best Customer Care awards.

The awards are organised by United Business Media (UBM) to tie in with the eCommerce Expo at London Olympia on 11-12 October. The awards ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Hotel in London on 11 October.

“They’re a celebration of excellence in online retail to help raise awareness of how the industry is moving forward,” said UBM marketing manager, Maria Harper. “Winning an award, or even getting shortlisted for one, can give a real boost in terms of prestige and publicity.”

Winners receive press exposure and coverage on the eCommerce Expo website, at the exhibition and in the awards programme, and they are entitled to carry the award crest on their website for a year.

Julianne Reynolds, marketing manager for last year’s Best Small Retailer award winner, Prezzybox, said: “We saw an increase in conversions on the site after we put the crest up and our sales increased as a result. We did a lot of PR around it and we even had a couple of investors interested in talking to us.”

The awards cost £99 to enter and entry is via an online form on the eCommerce Expo website. The deadline for entries is 22 July.

• Find out more about the eCommerce Awards for Excellence