As a national sponsor for the global innovation awards, we’re looking for entrants to showcase retail excellence in New Zealand.
What is ?
The IHA’s gia Awards is a global awards program whose objective is to honor innovative business practices and excellence in home and housewares retailing and visual merchandising around the globe. Established in 2000, the global program is sponsored by the International Housewares Association (IHA) and The Inspired Home Show. Leading housewares publications and retail agencys from around the world are national gia awards co-sponsors.
Proud sponsor of the gia New Zealand:
Sponsor of the gia program globally:
Eligibility + award categories
​Eligible retailers and gia awards categories
Different types of retailers selling home and housewares may participate in the IHA’s gia competition:
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Independent Specialty Homegoods Retailers
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Department Stores/Specialty Chain Stores/Mass Market Stores
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Internet/Online Retailers (without a physical storefront; a prior authorization by IHA required)
There are no separate categories for different types of retailers, but all participating companies compete for the same gia Global Honoree awards. One winner per trade publication sponsor unless the publication is authorized by the IHA to select more than one winner.
In addition to the general gia awards, the national gia winners have a chance to compete for the Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising and for the gia Digital Commerce Award for Excellence in Online Retailing (the online award depending on the total number of eligible applicants).
Base Criteria – gia Awards
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Overall mission statement, vision and strategy
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Store design and layout
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Visual merchandising, displays and window displays
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Marketing, advertising and promotions
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Customer service and staff training
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Innovation
The benefits
National Winner Benefits
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Recognition as a retail leader among peers in home country
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High visibility at The Inspired Home Show (Chicago)
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A special gia winners' display in a main Show area
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A presentation at the gia dinner
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Store introduction on IHA's website
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Access gia expert jurors’ know-how (Chicago)
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Networking with other gia winners – chance to find new business partners, get new ideas, benchmark performance, etc.
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Extensive publicity in home country – depending on winners’ pro-active promotions
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Opportunity to conduct customer/press events
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Boost employee morale and productivity
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Enlarged customer base (depending on winners’ promotions) and potential sales increases
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Right to use the gia logo, photos and information in marketing and in-store promotions, etc.
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Access to other gia-related materials (poster, etc.) that can be used for promotional purposes
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Leverage reputation with banks and other institutions
The successful New Zealand retailer wins a trip to
The Inspired Home Show and the gia awards dinner
in Chicago 17–19 March 2024
The process + timings
Entries close
5pm, Wednesday 25 October 2023
Judging
26 October - 5 November 2023
NZ winner announced
6 November 2023
NZ submission to IHA
15 November 2023
17-19 March 2024
Inspired Home Show Chicago