Canada Post is now accepting applications for its fifth annual E-commerce Innovation Awards, which is open to “retailers of all sizes and from all across Canada.”
The competition recognizes and rewards excellence in e-commerce, customer engagement and omni-channel strategies, the latter of which is a sales approach that aims to give the customer a seamless consumer experience through all available channels (things like the Internet, phone and mail, for example).
Winners are determined by an independent judging panel of industry experts and receive high-value prizes, including $100,000 of free shipping for large businesses and $50,000 for small businesses, along with substantial marketing packages.
The finalists will be announced this August. Then, on Sept. 22, the winners will be revealed at a gala event hosted by TSN broadcaster James Duthie at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Canada Post launched the Awards in 2012 to support online retailers and drive the nation’s digital economy forward. It has recognized the online initiatives of a range of winning companies, from well-known brands including Hudson’s Bay Company, Aritzia and Mountain Equipment Co-op, to start-ups such as tech company Thalmic Labs, toy subscription service Nerd Block and made-to-order footwear retailer Poppy Barley.
The categories for the 2016 Canada Post E-commerce Awards include:
- Best Omni-Channel Retailer Award (Large and Small)
- Pure Play of the Year Award (Large and Small)
- Best Customer Engagement Award
- Most Exciting Start-Up Award
- Community Impact Award
- Consumer Champion Award
- Canada Post E-Commerce Innovator’s Award
The deadline to apply is May 27, 2016. For more information on categories and prizes, or to apply online, visit canadapost.ca/ecommerceawards.