“In this highly competitive industry, it’s important for retailers to continue to evolve with their customers’ expectations, while also thinking outside the box when it comes to innovation and consumer value,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “We know we don’t have to look far to find our award winners each year as retailers are some of the most ground-breaking companies in the world, setting examples for other industries in customer service and experience, innovation and leadership. We applaud our winners this year and are thrilled to honor them in front of their peers.”

Gold Medal Award: Amazon Founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos

The Gold Medal is the most coveted award in retail, given to an individual who has served the industry with distinction and achieved a national reputation for excellence. The recipient has also displayed creative genius and inspirational leadership and has won the respect of fellow merchants for devotion to the retail craft. This year’s recipient of the Gold Medal Award is Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. Founded in 1994, Amazon’s mission is to be Earth's most customer-centric company.  Under Bezos’ leadership, Amazon continues to re-invent both itself and entire industries. Amazon operates a global online retail business with low prices and fast delivery on millions of items, designs and builds the bestselling Kindle e-readers and tablets, and offers a world-class digital media ecosystem with over 22 million movies, TV shows, songs, apps, games, and books.  Amazon even empowers companies and governments in over 190 countries around the world with the leading cloud computing infrastructure through its Amazon Web Services offering.

Retail Innovator of the Year: Crocs, Inc., President and CEO, John McCarvel

The recipient of this award has successfully distinguished himself as a retail pioneer through the use of new, innovative or imaginative techniques, formats or service. Furthermore, this individual has demonstrated an ability to sustain and build this concept in the face of challenges.