BOTANY TOWN CENTRE RETAILERS CLEAN UP AT AWARDS

Retailers of East Auckland’s Botany Town Centre have impressed judges at this year’s Top Shop Retail Excellence Awards and Westpac Manukau Business Awards, taking out the top awards in many of the categories.

Entrepreneurial mother-daughter team Mavis Griffiths and Sarah Dodson, of the Prenzel Shop Botany, were announced as overall winners at this month’s Top Shop Excellence Awards, as well as the Top Shop Winner in the Food and Beverage Category. The store triumphed, beating 121 retail finalists from the Auckland region.

Along with an established range of liqueurs, spirits and culinary fare, Prenzel at Botany Town Centre showcases the best of New Zealand-made artisan products from around the country, lovingly crafted in small kitchens by people passionate and knowledgeable about food.

“Winning the overall Top Shop Award for Auckland is thrilling and humbling,” says Ms Griffiths. “It is wonderful to be recognised by your peers in this way.

“To shop at the Prenzel Shop Botany is an experience to be savoured, enjoyed and returned to time and time again. We hope that people from all over Auckland will come to experience our store and fabulous Prenzel products.”

The Prenzel Shop was not the only Botany Town Centre retailer recognised at the awards ceremony. T2 was voted Top Shop Winner in the Gift and Homeware Category. The store, entirely dedicated to the exciting world of tea features over 160 varieties, all with their own distinctive flavours and aroma along with a large range of beautiful tea homewares.

T2 Managing Director Jonathan Houldsworth says winning this title is great recognition of how the team strives to create an experience like no other. “One of the greatest credits is what the award says about our people, who all work at T2 because they enjoy what they do, and I think that is what sets us apart.

“Our success comes down to our customers and our team. We treat our customers like respected friends, and always welcome them with a sample of tea from our tasting table. We take time to explain our products and give people space to explore. Success is if a customer leaves having discovered something new and feeling they have made a friend in us. So what has helped our business grow? We have made lots of new friends.”

Not to be left behind are Ziera, Botany Rockshop, L’Occitane En Provence, Telecom, and Stomp Kids Shoes, who were named as finalists in their respective categories.

In its 22nd year, the Top Shop Retail Excellence Awards aim to encourage and promote excellence in retailing and celebrate retailers who strive and achieve that goal.

Botany Town Centre Manager Jennifer Andrews says, “It is a delight to see many of our retailers being recognised for the hard work they put into their businesses day in, day out. Although the recession has been tough on retail, these awards and others not only celebrate the best of the best, but influence where people choose to shop.”

Botany Town Centre’s Boardertown has also made its mark, scooping the Small Business of the Year Award at the Westpac Manukau Business Awards last month. The surf, skate and wake retailer also picked up the Emerging Business Award, and co-founder Tim Guy topped off the winning streak, securing Manukau’s Young Business Person of the Year Award.

The International Travel College of New Zealand struck a double whammy, taking home the Excellence in Service Delivery and Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality awards.

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