History – Previous Winners

History 2008 ARA Australian Retail Awards
	2008 Australian Retailer of the Year Supercheap Auto Supercheap Auto took out the retail industry’s top honour when they were crowned the 2008 Australian Retailer of the Year. Founders Reg and Hazel Rowe opened Supercheap Auto’s first store in 1974 from the modest earnings of their home-based mail order business. Today Supercheap Auto is thriving with 250 stores across Australia and New Zealand, specialising in automotive parts and accessories and stocking a range of tools and accessories for the DIY home handyman, as well as products for the garage and shed. Supercheap Auto Group (incorporating Supercheap Auto, Boating Camping and Fishing (BCF) and Goldcross Bikes) is now the seventh largest retailing company in Australia by market capitalisation. www.supercheapauto.com.au

	2008 Australian Young Retailer of the Year Ian Sackett – Camera House Camera House’s Wollongong Trainee Manager Ian Sackett was recognised as the 2008 Australian Young Retailer of the Year. The 22 year old Ian Sackett started with Camera House on a 12 month traineeship in 2003 and since then has shown commitment to establishing a career in retail by completing accredited training in retail operations. www.camerahouse.com.au

	2008 Independent Retailer of the Year Bungendore Wood Works Gallery Bungendore Wood Works Gallery was named 2008 Australian Independent Retailer of the Year. Opened in 1983, the gallery specialises in exhibiting and promoting Australian wood art, sculpture and furniture and attracts an average of 120,000 tourists and visitors each year. www.bwoodworks.com.au

	2008 ARA Retail Innovation Award IGA IGA received the 2008 Retail Innovation Award accolade for its commitment to environmental sustainability, displaying innovation and leadership to reduce plastic bag usage through government acceptance of a joint education campaign. The campaign increased recycle content of all plastic bags from zero to thirty percent across one billion bags sold, and created new sales of two million alternate carry bags. www.iga.net.au