Queensland's leading cookware and homewares retailer Taste, based in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, has taken out an international award for innovation and excellence in homewares retailing and is the only Australian retailer to be awarded the honour in 2008.
Taste's innovative retail model, which aims to inspire a love of cooking in customers, was awarded the Global Innovator Award (GIA) at the annual International Housewares Association's show in Chicago.
Stocking the world's leading cookware and homeware brands such as Scanpan, Calphalon, Riedel, Wusthof Trident, Ritzenhoff and Le Creuset - Taste owner Jodie Macaulay said the store was the culmination of 12 years retailing experience.
She said winning the award was proof she had been successful at creating a leading retail model - one not only based on retail science but centred on retail theatre also.
"I like to bring to life all aspects of the experience I am selling," Ms Macaulay said.
"If I am selling a Tagine, then I want people to see how you use it and learn about the spices used in Morocco, which is where this equipment originated from. I will also play music from the region. It is my goal to make that display the most authentic experience as possible."
It is this ‘thinking outside the square' approach that has attracted up to 1000 customers through Taste's door on its famous event days.
However, Ms Macaulay said retail was also a science, not just about the experience.
"For example, the first five metres of an entrance is traditionally dead space used by the customer to settle themselves into the new environment. But I have employed a doorman who is there to greet customers and instantly engage them so the minute they walk into the store they are ready to browse."
Another component which has been key to Taste's success has been giving each staff member a set area of responsibility.
"This encourages ownership within my business and inspires my staff to strive for excellence because it is a reflection of them," Ms Macaulay said.
With Taste now positioned as Queensland's leading cookware retailer, the entrepreneurial streak in Jodie is urging her to open a second store in Queensland.
"At this stage we are focused on the Queensland market and have been looking at a couple of sites, but who knows, everyone has a frypan so what is stopping us from taking the brand international?"
Well, after winning the GIA, it appears nothing. Watch this space.
