This year, selecting one brand per category seemed a tad narrowminded, especially with the retail landscape gearing up to become a scrappier fisticuffs than a Boxing Day sale

As we looked closer, we couldn’t help but notice that there was more than just one retail brand getting it really right. They were strong creatively, innovative, had bold vision and clear business prowess – all the criteria we look for when crowning the Brand of the Year. ‘In general, there are more retailers understanding the power brand as a way to build business and build relationships. Definitely,’ agrees longtime retail analyst John Torella of Toronto-based JC Williams Group.

So, we’re calling this the year of the retailer, and while we’ve selected one to wear the Brand of the Year crown, we also give massive kudos to those in the industry who are truly, deeply, and convincingly getting it right.