Singer chairman wins Retail Leadership Award

Singer (Sri Lanka) Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya did his country proud when he was one of three Sri Lankans recognised at Asia's single most important global platform to promote world-class retail practices, the Asia Retail Congress, held in Mumbai, India recently.

Amarasuriya, together with leading entrepreneurs Otara Gunewardene and Ranjit Page was awarded a Retail Leadership Award under the banner of the Reid and Taylor Retail Excellence Awards which are an important part of the prestigious Asia Retail Congress, making Sri Lanka the only country to win three awards.

The Retail Leadership Award recognises individuals' high contribution to the organisations they serve and is the highest honour that is bestowed by the retail fraternity. The criteria are internal perception within the organisation and external perception balanced on credibility, achievement and value contribution to their business; track record of performance and achievements and values, integrity and work/life balance, essential competencies of a global retail leadership award.

Commenting on the award Amarasuriya said that he owes his award to Singer (Sri Lanka) for the mammoth inroads this blue chip has made in the consumer market in the island, since its beginnings some 130 years ago, making it one of the most popular brands in the country, veritably among all age groups.

He said, 'Although products such as mobile phones are all the rage among the young, Singer was voted Most Popular Teen Brand by SLIM/A C Nielsen last year which testifies to the fact that we have penetrated every nook and cranny of the island's socio-economic fabric.'

The other awards included a second consecutive listing as Most Powerful Brand in the country and the SLIM/A C Nielsen Power of the People Award as the Most Popular Brand and the Most Popular Consumer Durable Brand. Singer (Sri Lanka) has been voted by LMD as one of the top twenty companies in the country for over 10 years.

The annual Superbrands poll saw Singer (Sri Lanka) comfortably in the lead in 2005 and 2006.

Amarasuriya said it is its innovation with regard to marketing its products and services that makes Singer a household name in Sri Lanka.

Singer Retail convenience stores for instance, offer a range of top brands, over the counter consumer finance with 24-hour credit approval system, home delivery service and direct linkage to service stations and consumer call centres.

He said, "Our vision is to be the foremost appliance retailer in Asia Pacific and our mission is to improve the quality of life by providing comforts and conveniences at fair prices."