Independent retailers don’t often get the chance to give away $22,000 worth of prizes, but Leading Edge outfit, Seymour Computers, in Victoria managed to do just that — to one of its best customers.

Nineteen-year old Lionel Camilleri won the Christmas hamper of a lifetime including a Leading Edge Computers Passport Complete PC, Acer TravelMate 225X notebook and Canon printer and digital camera and CDs and DVDs galore. The competition was supported by Leading Edge suppliers Optima, Acer, Microsoft, Canon, Epson and TDK. All up, retailers gave away $42,000 worth of prizes.

One hundred and twenty-two computer retailers took part in the competition, run through more than 700 Leading Edge stores nationwide. It is the second year the group has run the promotion that attracted more than 50,000 entries.

“Customers had to purchase anything from the store and fill out an entry form,” Leading Edge Computers marketing coordinator, Craig Kirby, said.

Retailers really got into the seasonal swing for the “best dressed store” competition — won by LEC Warragul. The staff took the “best dressed” component literally, much to the delight of customers.