Home Timber and Hardware and Thrifty-Link Hardware stores were the big winners at the recent Hardware Association of Victoria Awards 2009.
Saville Plumbing and Hardware Supplies (Euroa) of the Thrifty-Link group won Small Store of the Year under 500sqm; The Hardware Shop (Richmond) of the Home group won the Medium Store category (500-1000sqm), and Permewans Home Timber and Hardware (Yarrawonga) won the Large Store of the Year (1,000-2,000sqm).
Danks Vic/Tas state manager Peter Richards said it was a great achievement for the Home Timber and Hardware and the Thrifty-Link Hardware stores who won.
“At Danks, we pride ourselves in our members providing a unique buying experience for customers, contributing to the continued evolution of the hardware retail industry,” he said.
Winners of the Small Store of the Year award, Stephen and Sharon Saville, have worked together with Danks to continually improve their store over the years.
“Saville Plumbing and Hardware Supplies is an example of what can be achieved in a small town. In a tight economic climate, it continues to develop opportunities to secure its future, including a recent store development to extend the retail offer to a further 200sqm and the introduction of the Danks automated retail technology (DART) point of sale system planned for early next year,” said Richards.
Winners of the Medium Store of the Year award, Vince Smith and Michael Youlden implemented the Ilid electronic ticketing system, one of the few within the hardware industry to apply this innovative technology, which speeds up the ticketing process and allows their staff more time to concentrate on their customers.
The HAV Large Store of the Year, Permewans Home Timber and Hardware, also has a strong commitment to meeting the needs of its local district.