Shop of the year 2011 SHOP OF THE YEAR 2011
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shops of the year The Njörður shield, now being awarded for the sixteenth year, is an encouragement award from the City of Reykjavík, Our City Centre, Global Blue, Iceland Refund, Federation of Trade and Service, The Association of Merchants and the Federation of Icelandic Trade. The aim of granting the award is to encourage improved service in shops for foreign guests in Reykjavík.
2010
Gullkúnst Helgu
2009
Blue Lagoon
2008
Kraum
2007
IÐA
2006
12 Tónar
2005
Franch Michelsen
Njörður, with whom the shield is associated, was originally a fertility god but later a god for seafarers, and was said to be a money-lover. At this time, seafarers often pursued trading and so it is applicable to associate a yearly encouragement award to tourist shops with a god of sailing and trade.
2004
ELM
2003
Veiðihornið
2002
66°North
2001
Penninn
When nominating the Shop of the Year, a shop is rewarded that has achieved success in sales and marketing to visitors. The shop should show initiative and originality, provide good customer service and employ staff with good product knowledge and language skills. In addition, an assessment is made of the shop’s appearance, lighting, and approach.
1999
Rammagerðin
1998
Sævar Karl
1997
Flex
1996
Mál og menning
2000 Víkurprjón
The 2011 winner is Aurum at Bankastræti 4 Reykjavik is a buzzing city of culture where cosmopolitan currents and tradition meet. Shopping in Reykjavik has never been more fun. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. Everything from internationally known brands to Icelandic design can be found at attractive prices. An added bonus for visitors is the tax-free shopping, which results in a 15% tax refund upon your departure. Reykjavik has a lot to offer and doesn’t have to strain your budget!
Have fun shopping in Reykjavík!
VISIT REYKJAVÍK Aðalstræti 2 101 Reykjavík Tel: +354 590 1500 Fax: +354 590 1501 E-mail: info@visitreykjavik.is
www.visitreykjavik.is
SHOP OF THE YEAR 2011
Aurum received Njarðarskjöldurinn „Shop of the Year“ 2011, an encouragement award granted by the City of Reykjavík and partners. The objective of the award is to encourage increased quality shopping for tourists in Reykjavík. Aurum specializes in Icelandic jewellery design as well as design- and gift ware from around the world.
AURUM Bankastræti 4 - 101 Reykjavík Tel: +354 551 2770 Opening hours Mon-Fri 10-18 and Sat 11-17 info@aurum.is www.aurum.is
Icelandic designer and jeweller Guðbjörg Ingvarsdóttir is the woman
award given for design in Iceland – for five of her jewellery collections.
behind Aurum, a jewellery brand established in 1999. After studying
In early 2009 an opportunity arose to fulfil Guðbjörg´s dream of increasing
both goldsmithing and design abroad, Guðbjörg came back to Reykjavík
the selection of products even further. The idea was to open an attractive
and opened a little jewellery shop in the city centre. Her initial aim was
and well designed store that offered beautiful design goods for everyone
to offer genuine Icelandic jewellery, designed and crafted locally. The
– men and women, every age and Icelanders as well as foreign visitors.
jewellery quickly attracted attention and their modern yet timeless
Adding to the jewellery store Aurum now has a design and lifestyle section
motifs were a breath of fresh air. Jewellery design was perhaps new
that offers a broad variety of design products from around the world. The
for the Icelandic consumer, as creativity had generally taken a back
goal is to keep introducing new products and fill the store with goods
seat to tradition in that field in the past. In her design Guðbjörg seeks
that preferably have not been available on the Icelandic market before.
inspiration in Iceland’s unique nature but her jewellery pieces don’t
In 2010 Guðbjörg decided to expand her design and in collaboration with
imitate but rather evoke the atmosphere of whatever she is influenced
a Finnish design studio she created fine china tableware. Her goal is that
by. In 2008 Guðbjörg won the Icelandic Visual Arts Award – the only
Aurum will grow into a versatile brand offering a variation of product design.