Nominations sought for 2012-2013 VRA Retailer of the Year awards

The Vermont Retail Association (VRA) is pleased to announce the fourth annual Vermont Retailer of the Year Awards. Three separate awards are presented each year:
Retailer of the Year: Honoring a Vermont retailer for overall excellence
Greentailer of the Year: Co-sponsored by Efficiency Vermont, this award honors a Vermont retailer who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to environmental excellence during the award period. Examples of eligible initiatives are energy conservation and efficiency, recycling, green building, and any sustainable practices the business has engaged in. VRA welcomes and encourages nominations for any and all environmentally friendly related programs, projects and efforts.
Community Gem: Honoring a Vermont retailer who has made unique and valuable contributions to its community.
Membership in VRA is not required for eligibility. Any Vermont business engaged in retail operations may be nominated, considered, and selected. Nominations may be submitted using the 2012-2013 Retailer of the Year nomination form on the association’s website, www.vtretailers.com. Nominations will be accepted through close of business on December 31, 2012.
The 2011-2012 Vermont Retailer of the Year Award went to Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters of Brattleboro. 2011-2012 Greentailer of the Year was Green Life, in Burlington. And the 2011-2012 Community Gem Award was won by Brown Dog Books & Gifts of Hinesburg.
Governor Peter Shumlin participated in the 2011-12 award ceremony in Montpelier on June 28th, 2012. The governor noted that ‘It’s hard to overstate the importance of Vermont’s retail industry. About one in five Vermonters works in retail. But numbers are only part of this story, because retail businesses are also the heart and soul of Vermont’s historic downtowns. Their unique presence is a quintessential part of Vermont’s character and mystique.’
Lt. Governor Phil Scott, who presented the actual awards during the ceremony, stated that ‘As a business person myself, I know the importance of our retail industry to Vermont’s economic health. I’m pleased to join the Governor, and Executive Director Tasha Wallis, in congratulating these exemplary businesses.’