President of Southern Photo in Melbourne, a Florida photography retailer, is honored with retail trade association’s top prize

TALLAHASSEE – Lisa Fournier, president of Southern Photo in Melbourne, Fla., has been named by the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) as the 2012 recipient of the prestigious Retailer of the Year Award. She will be honored at a special award luncheon on June 21 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando at the FRF’s mid-year meeting.

“It is truly our honor to recognize a great retail leader who exemplifies the best our industry has to offer,” said Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “Retailers are the most creative and committed small businesses in Florida, and Lisa Fournier is at the top of a very select group.”

 Southern Photo is the largest full service camera store in Brevard County, with more than 7,800 square feet of retail space. Fournier is an active business leader who has previously served as a trustee for the Photo Marketing Association and as a board member of the Photographic Research Organization, which represents independent photo specialty retailers around the U.S. A long-time member of the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce, she has served as the chairperson for the group’s Better Business Council.

The Retailer of the Year Award honors Florida retailers who blend sound business practices with commitments to their communities, customers and employees. FRF issues a statewide call for nominations, and the award is open to both members and non-members of the non-profit trade association. Eligible retailers are all those who work for, own, or operate a Florida retail business that has an annual sales volume of $5 million or less. This year, approximately 50 nominations were received from communities around the state. A panel of judges made up of small business owners and other retail experts ranked nominees based on their scores in several categories measuring community service and business acumen.

Southern Photo is well-known for its customer service, and is notable for thriving through the photo retailing industry’s difficult transition from film to digital. Southern Photo is successfully competing with on-line retailers by differentiating itself with strong service and a focus on creating value at the local level. Fournier’s community service involvement is extensive, including support for local organizations such as Girl Scouts, Camp GAIA, The Haven, and the Pelican Island Preservation Society, and a Facebook charity campaign to help fund medical expenses for a young man fighting cancer.

Southern Photo’s canine mascot, Milk Dud, exemplifies the store’s personal touch. “Milk Dud brings in a lot of customers,” says Fournier in a quote from her winning entry. “You can’t pet the dog when you buy online!”

The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing Florida’s second largest employment industry. Florida retailers pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, provide one out of every five jobs in the state, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales and retail-related taxes for Florida’s government each year. For more information, visit us on the web, on Facebook and Twitter at @FloridaRetail.