The Online Retailer Conference & Expo returned to Sydney’s ICC last week for the first time since 2019.
Through an extensive conference agenda and exhibitor directory, this year’s two-day event explored the present and future of e-commerce, covering issues including Covid-19, talent shortages, supply chain challenges, and the demand for sustainability, with an overall goal of improving the customer experience. 
Sessions included:
- ‘Connecting to customers with Uber’, presented by Uber Regional General Manager (Retail) ANZ Lucas Groeneveld.
- ‘Marketplaces for today’s customer centric, growth minded brands’, a discussion between Marketplacer APAC Vice President Sales Brad Austin, WooliesX Everyday Market General Manager Mark Mansour, and KG Electronics co-founder and Head of Operations Nimrod Ganon.
- ‘Private label: why it’s crucial to staving off Amazon’, a case study from Amino Z CEO Jay Bonaretti.
This was also the first year that a dedicated B2B conference track was introduced, highlighting, in particular, the roadmap to digitalisation and how to leverage technology to grow a B2B enterprise.
On the expo side, Online Retailer gave exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to reconnect and network after two years of disruptions. Among the exhibitors were Algolia, a company offering a search engine platform, store-to-door delivery platform DoorDash, and Scandit, a provider of smart data capture and barcode scanning software.
Commenting on the event, Uber’s Mr Groeneveld says: “Being able to connect with retailers and peers across the industry has allowed us to showcase the propositions we’ve been building for e-commerce and last-mile fulfilment, and we’re looking forward to coming back to the Online Retailer Conference & Expo next year.”
Shopify Director of Marketing APAC Robin Marchant says: “It’s been fantastic being back out in the community face to face with all our retailers and partners, and there’s been no better environment than Online Retailer to help reconnect and plan for the future together.”
Celebrating online excellence
Online Retailer concluded with the annual Australia Post Online Retail Industry Awards (ORIAS), commending those that have excelled in the industry across a range of 
categories. As the awards were held virtually in 2021, the celebration also commended winners from last year.
Australia Post Executive General Manager, Customer & Commercial Gary Starr welcomed the industry gathering again to celebrate in person.
“We’re incredibly proud to have supported the ORIAS for many years now, bringing the e-commerce community together to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of these online retailers,” he said. “A huge congratulations to the 2021 and 2022 winners across all the categories.”
The 2022 winners are:
- Best B2B Online Retailer: Hero Packaging
- Best Community Initiative – Community Service Award: i=Change
- Best Multichannel Retailer: Winning Appliances
- Best Phygital Initiative: Cue Clothing Co
- Best Pureplay Retailer: Appliances Online
- Best Small Independent Retailer: UNE PIECE
- Best Social Commerce Initiative: Showpo
- Customer Service Excellence: Appliances Online
- International Conqueror: Quad Lock
- Technology Champion: Cotton On
- Best Online Retail Marketing: Salvos Stores
- Industry Recognition: Paul Waddy
- Online Retailer of the Year: Appliances Online
- Hall of Fame: Lovehoney
- Australia Post People’s Choice Award – Small Retailer under $100k annual revenue: Ruby’s Home Store
- Australia Post People’s Choice Award – Small Retailer over $100k annual revenue: 4 Ingredients
- Australia Post People’s Choice Award – Large Retailer over $1m annual revenue: Kogan.com
The 2021 winners were:
- Best B2B Online Retailer: Signet
- Best Community Initiative – Community Service Award: Flora & Fauna
- Best Multichannel Retailer: Winning Appliances
- Best Online Retail Marketing: Naked Wines Australia
- Best Phygital Initiative: Cue Clothing
- Best Pureplay Retailer: Appliances Online
- Best Small Independent Retailer: Etoile Collective
- Best Social Commerce Initiative: Esther & Co
- Customer Service Excellence: Appliances Online
- International Conqueror: Lyre’s Spirit Co
- Technology Champion: Tinyme
- Industry Recognition: Julie Mathers
- Online Retailer of the Year: Appliances Online
- Hall of Fame: Tinyme
- Small Retailer under $100k annual revenue: Australian Made Clothes
- Small Retailer over $100k annual revenue: Thermo Foodie and the Chef
- Large Retailer over $1m annual revenue: Kogan.com.
