The Online Retail Awards are unique and non-partisan, promoted through a top-level domain name, independent of any retailer or media owner, designer or developer. They are global in scope and recognise the huge shift in public attitudes and habits, away from Main Street, the Mall and the High Street, towards online shopping.

The clearly stated aim of the Awards is to seek out fine examples of excellent website experiences and effectiveness, great design, best practice and customer service and to reward them publicly, to the benefit of both the cited online retailers and their customers.

The Awards comprise twenty-three retail sector category awards, four overall achievement awards and a single top accolade, named the Prix d'Or. Categories are defined by industry sector, so food retailers compete with other food retailers; and airlines' sites with other transport operators' sites.

The Online Retail Awards are open to any traditional retailer with an online presence, online-only retailers or their digital agencies, irrespective of size of operation, provided that the website and online activity took place during the previous calendar year.

Full details of entry criteria and fees are on the Awards website at www.onlineretailawards.com.

Entries for the 2010 Awards will close on February 28th and retailers and agencies will be able to upload entries from July 1st, 2009 to the Awards' simple, functional website. There's a useful guide to what is needed to enter on the "How to Enter" page of the website.

The Online Retail Awards were actively promoted (visit the Press Release page on the website for an example of the advertising) and further support for the Awards is sought from leading search engines, online payment and fulfilment services, ISPs, supply chain companies and optimization and web marketing organizations for 2010.

The Online Retail Awards® are organised by the experienced business celebration team at LEO London, owned by a group of individuals with a combined 210 years' experience of running successful awards events in the US, Europe, Asia and the UK.

Contact: Marie Thomas, Operations Director

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