The Czech company specializing in premium kitchenware, Potten & Pannen – Staněk, boasts a remarkable success as it brings home the most prestigious award from the Global Innovation Awards (GIA) in Chicago, USA. Its unique store, Atelier Potten & Pannen – Staněk, situated in the Andaz Prague five-star hotel, captivated the international jury, winning against stiff competition from the best stores in seventy countries.
In addition to admired landmarks, and renowned architecture and design, the Czech Republic now also has the most beautiful homeware store in the world. The award, dreamed of by every retail seller, was personally accepted in Chicago by Pavel Staněk, co-owner of the successful chain that has been operating in the country for over three decades.
“It's an amazing recognition that belongs to everyone involved in this project. Our flagship store Atelier in the Andaz hotel is our biggest and most luxurious store yet, featuring exclusive brands and a selection of both Czech and international design not just for the kitchen. It’s a place where we tell a story about cooking and dining by appealing to all human senses. Succeeding in such a vast competition is proof to me that the hard work the entire team has put into Atelier has paid off,” Pavel Staněk rejoices.
About competition
Being included in this global competition, rightly referred to as the “retail Oscar”, is not easy, and the list of criteria that selected stores must meet is indeed long. Company’s mission, vision, strategy, design, layout, or floor plan of the store are all part of the evaluation. The jury also considers visual merchandising, displays, shop windows, or the overall approach to marketing. Customer service, including staff training, the store’s innovative approach to sustainability and green technologies, or online shopping, are also crucial. In addition, household goods retailers must be in business for at least two years in order to qualify.
More than thirty finalists from six continents are selected in national rounds. From these, five main winners eventually emerge. This year, Europe dominated the competition. Alongside Potten & Pannen – Staněk, which won for the Eastern Europe region, Maison Empereur (France), Kustermann (Germany), Kookx (Netherlands), and Divertimenti (United Kingdom) were also among the honorees.
However, this is not the first time the Czech company focused on premium cookware has won the GIA award. In 2017, it received an award for its store in Vodičkova Street, where the jury, among other things, appreciated the connection of the sales venue with the Gourmet Academy cooking school.
“This year, we really did not expect the award, as it has never happened in history that a company would win the main prize twice. There were many wonderful and original retail concepts participating – like the one from London or the beautiful stores in Asia,” says the proud co-owner, who plans to display this prestigious award directly in the winning store.
“Atelier, designed by renowned Czech designers from the Vrtiška & Žák studio, embodies three decades of our experience. It reflects the needs of customers, expert knowledge in the field of premium home goods, and the latest trends in retail and culinary arts. Customers will find almost forty carefully selected premium brands from both the Czech and international scenes. We believe that once someone steps into the store, they will not want to leave. The space resembles a gallery where you can easily spend an entire afternoon,” he adds.
Global Innovation Awards
The Global Innovation Awards (GIA) is a leading global program recognizing exceptional achievements, business innovations, and creative merchandising in homeware retail. Organized by the International Housewares Association (IHA) since 2000, it is the most prestigious recognition for retailers around the world. Since its inception, more than 550 stores from 55 countries have been awarded. For the first time ever, retailers from Peru and Kazakhstan also received the award this year.