CBD client G4M (Gifts 4 Men) has been recognised as one of the world’s most innovative retailers by the International Home Association (IHA) in the United States. G4M was one of just five global honourees in the gia (Global Innovator Award) programme announced at the International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago in March.

Christchurch-based G4M was chosen for the gia award from 23 national winners previously chosen in their respective countries. The gia was created by the IHA and International Home & Housewares Show in 1999 to honour housewares retail innovation and merchandising excellence internationally.

G4M director Brian McCauley overheard judges Martin Pegler of the Fashion Institute of Technology of New York and Wolfgang Gruschwitz of the Gruschwitz Group in Munich (both visual merchandising experts) saying that they had never seen anything like the G4M concept anywhere else in the world.

Communication by Design worked with G4M to publicise its Global Innovator Award and the story was picked up by TV3 National News and Nightline, CTV, The Press and NBR. CBD also helped publicise G4M’s success in winning the national gia in October last year and a photo story appeared in The Press and a brief in NBR.

Gifts For Men has created a unique retailing concept in the underdeveloped men's gift industry that encourages customers to select thoughtful gifts by first analysing the personality of the gift recipient. G4M has created six fun, descriptive 'Man Types', which form the basis for the store’s extensive gift range and merchandising layout.

To satisfy the many 'faces' of men, G4M provides wide-ranging gift solutions from mid-life crisis kits to navigational GPS. Interactive sales opportunities enable customers to search, sift and shop from the unique and innovative on-line store. The sensational, high-impact design of the stores promotes the G4M brand towards a planned international franchising model, fulfilling the initial vision of the directors.

Visit the G4M website.
Visit The International Home Association website.