FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NRF Announces a Local Business is a Top 20 Finalist for “This is Retail” Video Contest
-Monkee’s needs local votes starting April 3rd to win Grand Prize
April 2, 2012 – The National Retail Federation announced today the 20 finalists of its “This is Retail” video contest, determined from scoring by prominent retail executives at NRF member companies. Contest finalists range from small business owners to vice presidents at national retail chains, and from wine shops to sporting goods retailers.
“We are absolutely thrilled Monkee’s was named a top 20 finalist and now we need your votes to continue telling our retail story,” said founder Deirdre Shaw. “We are going to need a lot of help to bring this award back to NC, so call your family, facebook your friends, and tweet your colleagues!”
Monkee’s, a ladies boutique envisioned by Deirdre Shaw in Wilmington, NC was built on her love of fashion, and grown through her focus on personal customer relationships. The Monkee’s organization now includes locally-owned and operated boutiques in 22 communities, including 12 in North Carolina. Monkee’s is the only Top 20 Finalist based out of North Carolina, and they need local support to vote on their video starting April 3 at retailmeansjobs.com/vote.
“The incredible stories we heard from small business owners and employees through this contest serve as a reminder that retail is at the heart of every community,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “While each of these finalists has their own story, they collectively demonstrate the opportunities in and power of retail, which supports 42 million U.S. jobs.”
The selection process will continue through April as the top 20 videos go head-to-head in a bracket-style tournament, each week being narrowed down to the top 10, five and finally the top three. Beginning April 3, anyone can cast a vote for their favorite videos through NRF’s Retail Means Jobs website, voting up to 10 times a day per matchup. The videos with the most votes before the end of each six-day period will move on to the next round. The contest’s top three finalists will be announced on May 1, and will be flown to NRF’s Washington Leadership Conference for the announcement of the contest rankings on May 16. The first place winner will receive $25,000 with $15,000 for second place and $10,000 for third place.
About National Retail Federation
As the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s Retail Means Jobs campaign emphasizes the economic importance of retail and encourages policymakers to support a Jobs, Innovation and Consumer Value Agenda aimed at boosting economic growth and job creation. www.nrf.com.
About Monkee’s LLC
Monkee’s LLC is an upscale ladies boutique specializing in clothing, shoes and accessories. Monkee’s was founded in 1995 in Wilmington, NC and has become one of the most successful organizations of independently owned boutiques in the southeast. Our boutiques can now be found in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee (Fall 2012), and Virginia and we are excited as our growth continues nationally. Monkee’s is recognized throughout this region as a leader in providing the finest fashions from the world’s top designers. Corporate headquarters are currently in Winston-Salem, NC. To learn more, please visit us at www.shopmonkees.com