Winner: The KaDeWe Group (Germany)
Finalists: Far Eastern Department Stores (Taiwan) and Liverpool (Mexico)

André Maeder, CEO of the KaDeWe Group, said "We are full of joy and incredibly proud! For the KaDeWe Group, this award is both a great appreciation and confirmation of our strategy. A special thank you goes to all our teams for their commitment and for making KaDeWe, Alsterhaus and Oberpollinger what they are now as well as in the future: the most innovative retail icons in the world." The two finalists for the Award were Far Eastern Department Stores, Taiwan, which, since 2020 has been committed to reducing their environmental impact and Liverpool, Mexico, also a leader in sustainability.

Winner: Selfridges (UK)
Runners-Up: Printemps (France) and Rinascente (Italy)

Anne Pitcher, Managing Director of Selfridges, commented, “This award is a wonderful tribute to the amazing commitment of our teams and gives us even greater impetus to continue to exceed our customers’ expectations, in delivering unique and extraordinary shopping experiences". The two other finalists of the category were represented by their CEO, Paolo De Cesare for Printemps (France) and Pierluigi Cocchini for Rinascente (Italy).

Winner: Rinascente (Italy)
Runners-Up: Brown Thomas (Ireland) and Selfridges (UK)

“Winning this award is a great honour and a source of extreme satisfaction for the little shop established in Milan 150 years ago. It’s a tribute to the work of all the people who ensure that every day la Rinascente is recognised as an ideal destination to enjoy a rewarding and engaging experience” said Alberto Baldan, CEO of La Rinascente. The other finalists were represented by their Managing Directors, Anne Pitcher for Selfridges and Stephen Sealey for Brown Thomas.

Winner: Selfridges (UK)
Runners-Up: Breuninger (Germany) and Macy's (USA)

"This award is international recognition of the global reach of our brand. Selfridges has gone from strength to strength worldwide, and this prestigious retail award recognizes the status of our brand as a successful retail innovator.” said Paul Kelly, Managing Director Selfridges Group. Selfridges was in competition with two other world-renowned department stores: Macy’s in the US and Breuninger in Germany.

Winner: Selfridges (UK)
Runners-Up: Macy's (USA) and Woolworths (South Africa)

“We are absolutely delighted that Selfridges has again been recognised as the best department store in the world. We have had a terrific couple of years since last winning, and it is a tribute to the commitment of our teams that we have been honoured with the award again for 2012.” said Anne Pitcher, Managing Director of Selfridges when receiving the trophy.

Winner: Selfridges (UK)
Runners-Up: Bloomingdale's (USA) and Lane Crawford (Hong Kong)

Paul Kelly, Managing Director of Selfridges shared an important and timeless message from Selfridges’ founder, Harry Gordon Selfridges, who counselled “if you can do a good job in tough times you’ll do a great job in good times.” The three award nominees inspired the audience with a compelling visual presentation of their respective philosophies and stores.

Winner: Bloomingdale's (USA)
Runners-Up: Central Department Store (Thailand) and Woolworths (South Africa)

Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of Selfridges, handed over the trophy to Terry Lundgren, Chairman, President  & Chief Executive Officer of Macy’s Group, Holding company of Bloomingdale's.  The two short-listed companies for this award were Central Department Store – Thailand and Woolworths – South Africa, for their outstanding performance in 2008.