What: World Retail Awards recognises leading retailers for their role in tackling the pandemic.

Why it is important: El Corte Inglés won the "Community Champion" Award, while The SM Supermalls won the "Customer Experience Breakthrough" Award.

After nearly two years of unprecedented change, the World Retail Awards were completely refocused for 2021 to reflect the extraordinary work by retailers around the world in supporting their customers, their employees and their communities whilst shaking-up their own business models in order to survive.

The category shortlists were selected by panels of retail industry experts and the winners by the Grand Jury which was made up of highly experienced senior retailers from around the world and across all sectors and channels.

Community Champion Award

When countries were forced to lock down around the world, millions of people faced isolation in their homes. Essential retailers in particular found themselves in the frontline to support not just their customers, but their communities. This special award put a much deserved spotlight on the way retail companies went far beyond their day-to-day aim of selling goods to customers, highlighting their purpose and values.

Winner: El Corte Inglés

Customer Experience Breakthrough Award

When essential retailers suddenly had to rethink their operations to serve a massive increase in customer demand, while remaining safe and secure, they developed many new services including click & collect, kerbside pick-up and self-scanning. Non-essential retailers also developed new services to meet customer needs, even though their stores remained closed. This award recognises not just customer experience innovations but also the way they were developed and implemented so quickly.

Winner: #AweSMLearning Campaign, SM Supermalls

The Grand Jury

Juliet Anammah, Chair, Jumia

Jessica Anuna, Founder & CEO, Klasha

Bernie Brookes, Chairman, Agriculture Innovation Australia

Sarah Davis, Former CEO, Loblaws

Arlette Guthrie, SVP Human Resources, Home Depot

Renuka Jagtiani, Chair, Landmark

Andrew Jennings, NED, Ted Baker

Bijou Kurien, Chairman, RAI

Caito Maia, Founder and CEO, Chilli Beans

Jaume Miquel, Chairman and CEO, Tendam

Neela Montgomery, CEO, CVS Pharmacy

Olga Naumova, CEO, Vostochny Souz

Kate Walsh, SVP, Omnichannel Retail, Pandora

Tea Colaianni, Founder and Chair, Diversity in Retail

WRA 2021 press release