Suppliers, reps and agents have just over a week to go to send in nominations for the retailers they feel are worthy contenders for The Greats Awards 2023! The competition, now in its milestone 21st year, recognises and rewards the UK’s outstanding gift shops and gift departments, fanfaring the amazing retailers that have risen to the challenges over the past year.
“As always, we are looking for those outstanding gift retailers who are a cut above the rest and have continued to up the ante by being resilient and resourceful in a challenging trading period,” said Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net, part of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Greats.
“While we very much encourage retailers to enter The Greats, and to tell us what makes their shop a worthy winner, to ensure that none of the industry’s retailing stars are missed, we urge all suppliers, reps and agents to share, in confidence, who they feel should receive a Greats trophy this year,” continues Sue. “We would love to hear what gift retailers have done over the past 12 months to really up the ante and encourage new business, to include retail initiatives, outstanding displays, charity and local community involvement, product diversification and the opening of a new outlet etc.”
While retailers themselves have until 21 February to submit their entry (a downloadable entry form for retailers is available by clicking here), the deadline for nominations from suppliers, reps and agents is 31 January. All nominations should be sent by email to Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net directly at suem@max-publishing.co.uk stating the relevant categories.
The full list of The Greats 2023 categories are as follows:
> Independent Gift Retailer of The Year – London, The South & South East & East Anglia
> Independent Gift Retailer of The Year – Midlands & Wales
> Independent Gift Retailer of The Year – North, N. Ireland & Scotland
> Independent Gift Retailer of The Year – West & South West
> Best Newcomer
> Best Specialist Multiple (4 or more shops)
> Best Department Store Retailer of Gifts
> Best Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts
> Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts
> Best In Store/Window Display
> Best Retailer Initiative
More details are available on The Greats website by clicking here.
For the second consecutive year, and uniting the gift industry, The Greats Awards have joined forces with The Giftware Association’s Gift of the Year (GOTY) awards, with all winners – both The Greats and the GOTY – to be revealed at a fabulous black tie awards event, to be held at the glittering Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday 11 May.
To find out more about sponsorship opportunities for The Greats and The Gift Of The Year Awards, contact Ali Farrell (e: alisonf@max-publishing.co.uk; mob: 07872 113635); Ian Hyder (e: ianh@max-publishing.co.uk mob: 07525 634 306); Rob Willis (robw@max-publishing.co.uk mob: 07792 016832); Warren Lomax (e: warren@max-publishing.co.uk; mob: 07977 572086).
Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk or www.thegiftawards.com
Tickets to the awards can be booked quickly and securely by visiting www.max-subscriptions.net/tickets
or by contacting awards organiser Clare Hollick at clare@createvents.co.uk (tel: 01183 340085).
Tickets cost £215 (+VAT) and tables of 10 and 12 are available. Visitwww.thegreatsawards.co.uk or www.thegiftawards.com
First launched in 2003, The Greats Gift Retailer Awards are owned and organised by Max Publishing and Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide.
