Middle East's RetailME Awards 2008 was celebrated with great fanfare

This year The Landmark Group was awarded across three categories, with Splash winning best Marketing Campaign for the third consecutive year. Landmark Group was awarded the Middle East Retailer and Ecco another of its brands achieved the International Retailer award.

Damas bagged two coveted awards, claiming the Business Excellence Award for Damas - Dubai as well as the Retail Personality Award which went to Tamjid Abdullah of Damas International Ltd. Dubai, UAE.

JustKidding a new player in the market and first time entrant of RetailME Awards took home the Rising Star & New Retail Brand awards - an impressive feat, having only been in the market since July, 2006.

"The RetailME awards come at a very important moment in the development of the JustKidding brand. Industry recognition and commercial success are clear indicators that the JustKidding concept has developed into a sound business strategy, and management is currently looking for ideal strategic partners to roll out the JustKidding formula in the Middle East region," said a spokesperson for JustKidding.

The annual event which is organized by Concept Events, in association with RetailME magazine has grown in strength over the past four years since its first inception; offering an idyllic window of opportunity for players in the industry to network and share their opinions.

The RetailME awards winners across 15 categories for 2008 are:

- Customer Service Initiative
Jumeirah Retail - Dubai, UAE

- Rising Star
JustKidding - Dubai, UAE

- New Retail Brand
JustKidding - Dubai, UAE

- Business Excellence
Damas - Dubai, UAE

- Store Manager
John G. Pebeauco - Koton - Abu Dhabi, UAE

- Retail Tech. Initiative
Jumbo Electronics - Dubai, UAE

- Store Design
Etoile La Boutique, Wafi - Dubai, UAE

- Lifestyle Retailer
The One - Dubai, UAE

- Retail Destination
Festival Centre - Dubai Festival City - Dubai, UAE

- Premium Luxury Retailer
Paris Gallery - Dubai, UAE

- Retail Personality
Tamjid Abdullah - Damas International Ltd - Dubai, UAE

- Marketing Campaign
Splash - Dubai, UAE

- International Retailer
Ecco - Dubai, UAE

- Middle East Retailer
Landmark Group

- Online Retailer
Jumeirah Collection - Dubai, UAE

Aldrin Fernandes, Chairman of Concept Group, said:

"Given that the current global economic slowdown has impacted many sectors of business, not least retail, the RetailME Awards is an event which positively fuels healthy competition and opens channels for new business opportunities alike."

"The winners of this years RetailME Awards are truly deserving, having made a marked impression on an independent panel of judges. They have been awarded for their hard work, innovation and creativity, which are fundamental to succeed in such a fiercely competitive sector," he added finally.

Winners were determined through a thorough selection process before they are independently audited by Ernst & Young. Results are not disclosed prior to the evening of the Award ceremony.

City of Arabia, Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group have been the Principal sponsors of the RetailME Awards for four years consecutively. RetailME Awards, under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy, UAE and is pleased to be associated with the following award partners: CoCoCo, Seawings, Burjuman, InRetail, and Mall of Arabia.