3 May 2005
MYOB Committed To Retail Excellence
Leading business software developer MYOB is confirming its commitment to New Zealand's retail sector by signing a
two-year deal to be a sponsor of the Auckland Top Shop Awards.
MYOB will sponsor the Auckland Top Shop Retail Hall of Fame category at the 2005 and 2006 awards. The company also
sponsored the category in 2004.
The annual Auckland Top Shop Awards are the country's premier retailing awards, first established 1988 by the New
Zealand Retailers Association, who continue to run the event. The Retail Hall of Fame, a lifetime achievement award,
recognises a business or individual who has made a significant contribution to the retail industry over time. Previous
winners include Steven Tindall, Stirling Sports founder Colin Taylor, and last year's winner Three Bears and Route 66
creator, Kevyn Male.
MYOB New Zealand Retail Business manager, Ric Horsfall says the company's commitment to the awards is a reflection of
its belief in the importance of the retail sector to the New Zealand economy.
"The retail industry, New Zealand's largest sector, is a vital part of this country's success," says Ric Horsfall.
"MYOB is a key supporter of New Zealand business, and recognising and promoting excellence in this sector - particularly
through the individual contributions of some of the industry's innovators and champions - is one of the many ways we can
do this."
New Zealand Retailer's Association northern regional manager Russell Sinclair says the support of major brand sponsors,
like MYOB, Westpac and Telecom reinforces the significance of the awards.
"We are very careful who we select as our sponsors," says Russell Sinclair.
"Our sponsors are those businesses which have a passion for promoting excellence in retailing, and reflect this in their
own operations."
Mr Sinclair says the Awards will have a new look this year, as the organisers move the event to the larger Sky City
Convention Centre - an illustration of its growing popularity among retailers.
Mr Horsfall says MYOB has been supporting retail businesses across the country this year, with an expanded product range
designed for the specific needs of retail businesses.
"Building on the success of our advanced retail products, RetailManager and RetailEnterprise, MYOB has recently released
RetailBasics and RetailReady; solutions that are designed to provide retailers with everything they need to set up shop
or upgrade their existing point-of-sale system."
"RetailBasics was created as an affordable off-the-shelf solution - developed with the cash register user in mind."
"For the small retail business, this is the ideal way to move to a PC-based point-of-sale system, making their stock and
financial management more efficient and enabling them to fully integrate their systems with MYOB's accounting
solutions," Ric Horsfall says.
Ric Horsfall says when it comes to 'doing the books' a retailer can easily transfer data from MYOB RetailBasics to most
MYOB business software.
"Our bundled package, MYOB RetailReady, is designed to provide businesses with the complete solution - including MYOB's
award-winning accounting software."
MYOB RetailReady includes MYOB RetailBasics and MYOB Accounting, as well as a Posiflex barcode scanner, cash drawer and
docket printer - all of which work directly with the software.
-ends- About MYOB
MYOB is a global provider of solutions that liberate business owners and accountants from the burden of day-to-day
administration, empowering them to achieve business success. MYOB develops and delivers award-winning software, services
and support for more than 500,000 businesses and over 10,000 accounting practices worldwide.
Owner-operated businesses are the most dynamic force in the world economy and yet they are universally challenged by
limited resources. MYOB uses its knowledge, expertise and scale to help them build better businesses.
MYOB also works directly with accounting practices to streamline their processes and maximise their productivity. MYOB
solutions are used by leading accounting practices from tax agents and sole practitioners to the 'Big 4' firms.
Through its understanding and partnership with both business owners and accountants, MYOB strives to further enhance the
links between them for their mutual benefit.
MYOB Limited is a public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX symbol 'MYO').
ENDS