The judging panel for the annual Sunglasses Awards, to be held in Cannes next week, has released the shortlist of nominations for the six category awards to be presented at the TFWA World Exhibition.

 

This year marks the first time retailers have been asked to make their own submissions for the awards, resulting in a ‘record number’ of entries.

 

The shortlisted companies are (alphabetical order):

 

Best New In-store Environment for Sunglasses

DFS – Scott’s Walk Galleria, Singapore

King Power International – Bangkok Downtown

WDFG – Gatwick South

 

Best Dedicated Sunglasses Sales Team

CDFG – Sanya Downtown

Dufry – Region 2, Americas

Kappe – Amsterdam Schiphol

 

Best Standalone Sunglasses Concept

Aelia – I Love Prague, Prague

CDFG – Sanya Downtown

Nuance Group – Sun Catcher, Zurich

 

Innovation Award

Dufry – Montevideo

DFS – Hysan Place

 

Best Off-Airport Sunglasses Retailer

CDFG – Sanya Downtown

MSC Cruises

Starboard

 

Sunglasses Retailer of the Year

DFS

Gebr Heinemann

Nuance Group

WDFG

 

Entries were assessed by a panel of executives from sunglasses suppliers:

 

–          Francis Gros, Group Travel Retail Director, Luxottica

–          Giles Marks, Director Duty Free Sales, Maui Jim

–          Chiara Polverini, Duty Free & Travel Retail Manager, Marcolin

–          Enrico Molin, Duty Free Manager, De Rigo Vision

–          Erwan Le Guennac, International Travel Retail Director, Marchon

–          Francesco Leccisi, Global Travel Retail Director, Safilo

 

 

Head judge Francis Gros, Luxottica Group Travel Retail & Boutiques Director said: “The Sunglasses Awards are all about recognising the companies and teams that are raising the bar in our industry and driving the continued growth of our dynamic category.

 

“The standard of the entries we have received this year has made this the most competitive Sunglasses Awards to date and this is reflected in the quality of the shortlist.

 

“We thank everyone who entered and congratulate all those that have been shortlisted. The judging panel looks forwards to welcoming our partners to the Sunglasses Workshop and Awards next week.”

 

The Sunglasses Awards forms part of the fifth Sunglasses Workshop & Awards, taking place during TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes on 22nd October.

 

Co-sponsored by leading sunglasses suppliers Luxottica, Marcolin, De Rigo, Marchon, Maui Jim and Safilo, the Workshop & Awards “provide a focal point in the Sunglasses calendar in travel retail,” say the organisers.

 

This allows “the leading lights to share best practices, to look forward to the continued growth of the category and to recognise excellence in sunglasses retailing,” they add.