gia is responsible for identifying companies from around the globe that stand out each year in innovation and merchandising excellence. Sponsored by the IHA & International Home + Housewares Show, the Global Innovator Awards program identifies housewares retailers from more than 20 countries spanning five continents. The winners are showcased in Chicago at the annual International Home + Housewares Show, all of whom are honored at a red-carpet dinner on Sunday, the evening of the annual opening show day.
A top five from all of the annual nominations are selected as global honorees, including one winner in visual merchandising excellence, chosen by a panel of housewares retail experts.
The 2011 Nominees include:
| Country | Store Name |
| Argentina | Reina Batata bazar boutique |
| Asia | Q-Home |
| Australia | Outdoors on Parade (OOP) |
| Belgium | Kookhuys Mafrans |
| Brazil | Marli Trentin |
| Canada | Cookworks |
| Finland | Loviisan Aitta |
| France | TOC (Trouble Obsessionnel Culinaire) |
| Germany | dodenhof Posthausen KG |
| Italy | gasparetto 1945 |
| Mexico | Casa Palacio |
| Netherlands | Cook and Company |
| New Zeland | Loft Design |
| Poland | Agata Meble |
| Russia | The World of Cookware |
| Sweden | |
| Switzerland | Manor |
| Turkey | Tantitoni / Inter Mutfak |
| UK | Kitchens |
| USA- Gourmet Retailers | Draeger’s Markets |
Last year’s top five included:
- I Love My House Barazzoni of Italy (Martin M. Pegler award for visual excellence)
- Stark & Whyte of Canada
- Ambiente Gourmet of Columbia
- Galeria Kaufhof of Germany
- Steamer Trading Cookshop of United Kingdom
The gia page at Housewares.org has more information on all the 2010 global nominees as well as the other winners from 2010 and every year dating back to 2001.
You can also contact Annie Hemmesch at ahemmesch@housewares.org with questions about all things gia.
