Pet Retailer Excellence Awards

Pet Business and Global Pet Expo officials are now accepting nominations for the eighth-annual Retailer Excellence Awards. The awards honor outstanding independent pet stores in a variety of categories. Awards will be given to one pet specialty retailer in each of the following categories:

Best Single-Store Retailer
This award recognizes a single-store retailer that excels in sales, customer service, merchandising and community service. Nominees should also provide a clean, safe and professional environment for customers and employees while demonstrating care, concern and knowledge of companion animals.

Best Multi-Unit Retailer (2 -14 stores) 
This award recognizes a small to mid-sized multi-unit retailer that demonstrates an ability to maintain excellence in sales, customer service, merchandising and community service across all of its locations. Nominees should also provide clean, safe and professional environments for customers and employees while demonstrating care, concern and knowledge of companion animals.

Best Multi-Unit Retailer (15+ stores)
This award recognizes a large multi-unit retailer that has been able to scale up the excellence it demonstrates in sales, customer service, merchandising and community service across all of its locations. Nominees should also provide clean, safe and professional environments for customers and employees while demonstrating care, concern and knowledge of companion animals.

Best Live-Animal Retailer
This award recognizes a retailer that demonstrates excellence in selling live animals as pets. Nominees should provide clean, safe species-appropriate environments for all animals in their care and have a deep understanding of the care requirements of each pet they sell.

Best Multi-Service Retailer
This award recognizes a retailer that effectively combines retail offerings with a broad spectrum of services, including grooming, training, boarding, etc. 

Best Merchandising/Store Design
This award recognizes a retailer that demonstrates outstanding creative techniques to promote sales and services. Aspects that will be considered include merchandising displays, store layout, curb appeal (including window displays), lighting and fixtures.

Best Customer Service
This award honors a retailer that provides an unmatched level of customer service.
Recognition should be given to staff that addresses the needs and questions of pet owners in a knowledgeable way, demonstrates familiarity with products and services, and effectively handles issues or concerns in a productive manner.

Best Community Service/Outreach & Partnership
This award recognizes a retailer that has made a connection with its community through involvement in a variety of events and/or causes that reach out beyond their store. Efforts should demonstrate fellowship, integrity and a clear demonstration that the store is committed to giving back to its community.

Best Internet Marketing 
This award honors a retailer that has truly embraced digital marketing to promote their business. Areas that will be considered include online advertising, newsletters, blogs, mobile/text marketing, etc.

Best Ecofriendly Retailer 
This award honors a pet store or chain that demonstrates a strong commitment to taking a sustainable, ecofriendly approach to retailing. Factors that will be considered include ecofriendly business practices, product selection and support of ecological causes.

Award nominations will be accepted from manufacturers, retailers, sales/marketing reps and distributors until February 21, 2019. A copy of the nomination form can be downloaded here and submitted via email or regular mail (see ballot for mailing info).

The winners will be determined by a committee of Global Pet Expo and Pet Business staff members. The results will be announced at an awards ceremony and retailer roundtable discussion held on March 21, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

For more information about Global Pet Expo, visit globalpetexpo.org.