The Vermont Retail Association (VRA) is pleased to announce the third annual Vermont Retailer of the Year Awards. Membership in VRA is not required for eligibility. All Vermont businesses engaged in retail operations may be nominated and considered. Nominations may be submitted using the Retailer of the Year nomination form on the association’s website, www.vtretailers.com(link is external).  Nominations will be accepted through December 31, 2011. The awards will be presented in 2012 at a gala celebration and ceremony. Three separate awards are presented each year:Retailer of the Year: Honoring a Vermont retailer for overall excellenceGreentailer of the Year: Honoring a Vermont retailer for environmental excellenceCommunity Gem: Honoring a Vermont retailer who has made unique and valuable contributions to its community.According to VRA Executive Director Tasha Wallis, ‘It is impossible to overstate the importance of Vermont’s retail industry. Retailers employ more Vermonters than any other business sector except health care. More than 40,000 Vermonters work in retail, approximately 16% of the entire work force. Given the retail sector’s tremendous benefit to Vermont, it is only appropriate that the ‘best of the best’ be recognized annually.’