Judges sold on young retailer

ITM Tumu's Napier manager, Jamie Webster, has been awarded the Young Retailer of the Year Award in this year's Hardware Awards in Auckland.

Mr Webster began working in the industry at 13 years of age and judges said his exceptional service, outstanding leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of the industry earned him the top spot. The Hardware Awards celebrates the achievements of retailers in the hardware, builders' supply and home decor retail sectors of the industry.

As the award winner, he gets a study grant for an Auckland University Business School's Short Course programme of his choice and a travel grant to attend an international industry trade show in Europe or the United States.

Mr Webster did not know who nominated him but whoever did was undoubtedly one of the many Tumu team who welcomed him back on Saturday at Hawke's Bay Airport, where he was regally escorted home in a stretch limousine.

He said plain good service to the customer was the basic principle.

"Treat them the way you would want to be treated - go the extra bit," Mr Webster said.