FAQ

The awards is open to companies and people within:

1. Emerging Brands & Retailers including direct-to-consumer brands, retailers and retail concepts, e-tailers and marketplaces who meet the following criteria:

• Years of existence: operating for over 2 years and less than 11 years 
• Founded or headquartered in one APAC market
• Have at least 1 retail outlet (online or offline)
• Be privately owned (not listed)
• Be for profit
• Have a registered trademark

2. Retail Tech Startups including but not limited to retail automation, store operations & analytics, consumer analytics, payment solutions/fintech, e-commerce and logistics who meet the following criteria:

• Years of existence: operating for less than 11 years 
• Founded or headquartered in one APAC market
• Have at least five clients in the retail industry
• Be privately owned (not listed)
• Be for profit
• Have a registered trademark 

3. Expert Solution Providers including but not limited to branding, digital, communication, training, consulting and marketing agencies, as well as design and architect studios who:

• Provide services and solutions to the above ‘Emerging Brands & Retailers’

All company and people entries must be based in Asia.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact us prior to your entry submission at upstarts@retailinasia.com

Area 1: Brand

Entry for this area is only for emerging brands & retailers

Best brand/retailer in one of the following categories: An achievement in brand recognition, product competition differentiation and notable results. 

Categories

1.1 Fashion & Accessories

1.2 Beauty & Fragrance

1.3 Health & Wellness 

1.4 Homeware & Lifestyle 

1.5 Retail Gourmet 

1.6 Jewellery & Watches 

1.7 Best retail concept 

Area 2: Brand Experience

Entry for this area is for all eligible players

Best brand / retail concept experience in one of the following categories: An achievement in transforming the customer experience.

Categories

2.1 Retail Tech Breakthrough

2.2 Digital Excellence

2.3 Sustainable Concept Excellence

2.4 Pop-up Concept

Area 3: Brand Personality

Entry for this area is for all eligible players

Best personality within one of the following categories: A personal achievement. 

Categories

3.1 Pioneer / Founder

3.2 Retail Management Role  

3.3 In-Store Role  

3.4 Tech or Agency team 

1st June 2022: Entry submissions open 

15th August 2022: Entry submissions close at 11:59 pm HKT

October 2022: Announcement of the finalists for each category

November 2022: Announcement of the winners

Once we have received your entry, we will:

Screen your entry

We will ensure your entry fulfils the eligibility criteria before sharing with the judges.

Entries may be re-submitted if they fail the screening and the new entry must be submitted within five working days after the Upstarts team feedback. Our team will inform you which materials you are missing to pass the screening.  

Once you have passed the screening, you will enter up to two rounds of selection:

First Round Selection*: 

Judges will individually review all entries and select finalists for each category to enter the Second Round Selection.

Finalists of each category will be announced in October 2022. 

Second Round Selection*:

The judges will convene together to determine the winners for each category. Finalists may need to pitch their entry to the judges. 

Winners of each category will be announced in November 2022.

*The selection process of the judges is rigorous to ensure the right balance of experience, objectivity and knowledge. The judges’ decisions are final.

• Amplify your brand, your retail tech solution, your retail concept, your agency, your team and company to gain recognition
• Motivate your team members and partners to reward their outstanding work
• Connect with players across the Asia retail industry
• Gain visibility across Retail in Asia’s and our partners’ platforms

1 entry: HK$2,800* US$350

2 entries:HK$ 5,000*  US$640

3 entries: HK$ 7,000*  US$890

4 entries: HK$8,400*   US$1,070

5 entries: HK$10,000* US$1,280

*Entry fees are non-refundable.

For more than 5 entries, please contact us at upstarts@retailinasia.com

Payment Methods: Paypal / Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) / AliPay / WeChat Pay / Bank transfer

The fee includes:

- awards enrolment 

- a complimentary Company Profile on Retail in Asia 

- access to the UPSTARTS community.

An invoice will be sent by email once the entry is submitted.

An entry confirmation email will be sent once payment is received.

UPSTARTS is open to all APAC markets.

Please download our Entry Guide.

Entries may be re-submitted if they fail the screening and the new entry must be submitted within five working days after the UPSTARTS team feedback. Our team will inform you which materials you are missing to pass the screening.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact us prior to your entry submission at upstarts@retailinasia.com

Yes, you may submit multiple entries. Do tailor your individual submissions accordingly based on the entry requirements of that category and outline how they suit the specific category at hand.

Visit our Judge section on the homepage.

Please contact us at upstarts@retailinasia.com

Please check here. AwardStage’s Terms & Conditions is here

We will provide opportunities for finalists and winners to share their achievements with the larger retail sector across Asia through different online/offline events. We will confirm live events closer to the time, and host them in accordance with regulations of that time.

Please contact us at upstarts@retailinasia.com