By Claire Reilly

BSR Group – parent company of the Betta, Betta Home Living and Chandlers retail brands – has held used its annual conference to announce the recipients of its retailer of the year and supplier of the year awards.

Betta Home Living Wilsonton, Queensland, was recognised as Large Branded Retailer of the Year (for stores larger than 650 square metres) while Betta Home Living Kingaroy, also in Queensland, was awarded Small Branded Retailer of the Year (for stores smaller than 650 square metres). Electrolux was named Supplier of the Year.

The annual conference is being held in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, until 9 June, with more than 250 BSR suppliers and retailers in attendance. At the conference, BSR Group CEO Graeme Cunningham spoke about the strong performance of the individual award winners and the company as a whole.

“These winners represent the best of the best within Betta and Betta Home Living brands and we are proud of the hard work and dedication they have shown over the last year,” said Cunningham.

“Our Retailers of the Year have continued to perform strongly across the areas of sales, service and compliance, whilst our Supplier of the Year has consistently delivered excellent service and support to the BSR Group and our retail brands.

“Betta Home Living is undergoing some exciting changes and enjoying very encouraging growth, and these award winners have had a major role in that success,” he added. “Betta has been performing well despite the ongoing economic slowdown in the retail sector and profitability remains at similar levels to previous years.”

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That profitability translated to last month’s announcement of a 2-3 per cent increase in sales for the financial year ended 31 March 2012, “with some stores performing well above that level”. Cunningham announced that the group was debt free and would declare a dividend for shareholders.

Cunningham also confirmed that Betta had signed on as a supporter of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital, which is set to open in July.

“The centre will not only provide the very best in medical care, research and treatment for people with cancer but will offer a full range of complementary therapies including meditation, music therapy, yoga and counselling to support people throughout their care,” he said.

“Betta Home Living is very proud to be associated with this world class facility and will support this partnership with a comprehensive marketing program throughout the financial year.”