SYDNEY, July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Appliances Online has been announced as one of six finalists for the prestigious Oracle World Retail Awards 2011, for the category "Pure Play Etailer of the Year". The announcement comes after a record number of entries were received from retailers around the world.
John Winning, CEO of Appliances Online said: "It's an honour to be recognised as a finalist for this prestigious global award. Since establishing Appliances Online in 2005, my team and I have been committed to building a truly unique and innovative online business. Online retail is a huge growth industry and we're so proud to be a part of it."
John started the now multi-million dollar enterprise in 2005 with a rented truck, laptop and a 1300 number connected to his mobile phone. Today, it is Australia's largest online retailer of whitegoods and appliances, and at just 26 years of age, John is one of the most successful Australian online entrepreneurs.
"The biggest fallacy about running an online business is that you go online so you don't need to interact with customers," John said. "At Appliances Online, we aim to set the customer service bar extremely high. We spend a lot of our time listening to what our customers need, and the rest of the time delivering it to them. We believe our core value promise of providing high-level customer service is a key reason for Appliances Online being identified as an Etailer of the Year finalist."
The Oracle World Retail Awards recognises outstanding organisations and individuals who deliver high retail performance outcomes. The award, now in its fifth year, is a measure of true achievement in the retail industry.
The award will be judged by a panel of prominent leaders from the international retail community, including: CEO of Myer Limited, Bernie Brookes and Oracle Retail Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Webster.
In 2005, not many people were convinced that they could shop for large home appliances - such as a fridge - in an online setting. But John believed people could if they give consumers all the best elements of shopping in a bricks and mortar retail store. So he set out to provide unforgettable customer service, unbiased research, and best value pricing so customers wouldn't have any trouble buying products from his online store. And he was right.
"We also utilise social media platforms to find new ways of interacting with our customers to answer their questions, offer advice and provide them great deals on appliances such as the washing machine. The Facebook page for Appliances Online now has a 150,000 strong community," he said.
In the past two years, Appliances Online's achievements have been recognised with respected online retail awards. In 2010, the business won the Online Retailer Industry Award (ORIA) for "Best Asia Pacific Pure Play Online Retailer" and "Best Customer Experience". John's online store was also rated a Top 10 website for the Experian Hitwise Online Performance Awards 2010, for the 'White goods and Appliances' category.
John Winning has emerged as a prominent thought leader within the online space in Australia. In June, he was a key note speaker at the inaugural Online Retailer Roadshow, which celebrated the achievements and contributions of Australia's online retail leaders.
Appliances Online has a national footprint, offering customers next day free delivery to most areas in Australia. In their online store, clients will find a wide variety of appliances, including the practical dishwasher and useful fridge.
Media information:
Sarah Jane Williams
Launch Group
+61-2-9492-1040 or +61-0409-362-675
sarahjane@launchgroup.com.au
