Multichannel retailers named as winners of Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Regatta, Duo and Electrocomponents are among the catalogue and online retailers named as winners of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2012. One of the UK’s most prestigious accolades for business performance in the UK and overseas, winners were announced on 21st April—the Queen’s birthday.

Outdoor apparel specialist Regatta received the award in acknowledgement of its Regatta and Dare 2b brands. Regatta exports to more than 45 countries worldwide, accounting for over 40 percent of turnover. It has dedicated sales offices in Eire, France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Spain, Poland, Italy, Finland, Czech Republic and Israel and is expanding into Russia and the US.

Footwear retailer Duo was named as a winner of the international trade award in recognition of its international business. In the last three years, Duo has sent footwear to customers in 132 countries and currently offers free delivery worldwide.

Also on the list was Electrocomponents, which since 2006, has successfully expanded into 10 new overseas markets, most notably within Eastern Europe and South East Asia. Over the last five years the company's international business has achieved average annual sales growth at around double the rate of average annual global GDP growth. Its international sales have grown from £474.9 million ($770 million) to £825.9 million ($1.34 billion) between the financial years ended March 2006 and March 2011 respectively, and now account for 70 percent of its total revenues.

Educational supplies supplier TTS Group, cosmetics brand Ren and fashion brand Hackett also made the list.