Fizz Creations’ Gruffalo Baby Collection triumphed at the Progressive Preschool Awards yesterday (November 15) as winner of the Best Preschool Gift Range category. The award was presented to Fizz Creations’ head of marketing Zoe Ryan by Sue Marks, Editor of Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net, category sponsor.
In addition, Toys4You in Sutton Coldfield was announced as the winner of the Best Independent Giftware Retailer category, sponsored by Hippychick. Theaward was presented to Toys4You directors Mehak Ranuf and Ali Ahmed byHippychick’s managing director Jeremy Minchin.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the awards, the audience of over 400 industry executives from across the retail, nursery, preschool, toy, marketing and licensing arenas enjoyed a day entertainment and surprises – including a pre-lunch speech from Dragons’ Den investor Touker Suleyman.
“I was very fortunate to be asked to be a Dragon, as it has given me the opportunity to invest in many businesses, my first being Matchstick Monkey teething toys, and I’m always looking to add to my portfolio of baby brands,” Touker told the audience.”
Praising the pre-school industry for its passion, he added: “We are all going into 2023 with many hurdles in front of us. However, one thing we do know is that prices in China are coming down, and hopefully, the supply base will improve. Meanwhile, we must hope that the UK economy isn’t too badly bruised and that we will come out of things. So my advice is to you all is, don’t give up.”
Welcoming everyone to the lunchtime event, Rob Willis, director of Max Publishing – which owns and organises the awards – commented: “Wow – ten years. The PPS Awards was launched shortly after Progressive Preschool was first published. As a business, we wanted to work in the kids product space, as several of us had long history there.
But we also wanted to be different, and thanks to you guys out there, I feel we can certainly say we’ve achieved that. To everyone who has ever taken a ticket across these ten great years, and that’s a total of 4,366 bums on seats in that decade, we thank you.
The uplifting, grand finale of the afternoon saw Stephen and Karen Hewitt awarded with the Outstanding Achievement accolade, having started Character.com from their garage, with the online retailer now a £50+ million business.
The full list of winners of the Progressive Preschool Awards 2022 are:
RETAIL AWARD CATEGORIES
Best Supermarket Retailer (sponsored by Paramount)
Asda
Best Multiple Retailer (sponsored by Misirli)
JoJo Maman Bébé
Best Mixed Retailer (sponsored by Rainbow Designs)
Boots
Best Department Store (sponsored by WildBrain CPLG)
John Lewis & Partners
Best Online Retailer (sponsored by Aykroyds & Sons)
Kidly.co.uk
Best Independent Nursery Retailer (sponsored by Joie)
Newbie & Me
Best Independent Apparel Retailer (sponsored by Amscan International)
Liquorice Kids
Best Independent Toy Retailer (sponsored by Smiffys)
JJ Toys
Best Independent Gift Retailer (sponsored by Hippychick)
Toys4You
Best Retailer Initiative (sponsored by Penguin Ventures)
#PlantWithPeppa at Asda
PRODUCT AWARD CATEGORIES
Best Preschool Apparel Range (sponsored by Hasbro Consumer Products)
My First Years X Disney from Dennicci
Best Licensed Toy Range (sponsored by BBC Studios )
Paddington Range from 8th Wonder Toys
Best Non-Licensed Toy Range (sponsored by Grapevine Global PR)
Spring Garden Range, Orange Tree Toys
Best STEM/Educational Range (sponsored by Good Baby Guide )
Coding Critters from Learning Resources
Best Preschool Publishing Range (sponsored by Redan Publishing)
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, Walker Books
Best Home or Furniture Range (sponsored by Media Snug)
Chicco Next2Me PopUp from Artsana
Best Preschool Gift Range (sponsored by Giftsandhome.net)
Gruffalo Baby Collection, Fizz Creations
Best Wheeled Goods Range (sponsored by Harrogate Intl Nursery Fair )
iCandy Peach 7
Best Car Seat Range (sponsored by Vista PR)
Cloud Z2 i-Size from Cybex
Best Preschool Essentials Range (sponsored by bébélephant)
Connected Home Smart Sensory from Maxi Cosi
Best Infant Development Range (sponsored by Online4Baby)
Playtime Collection from Mori
The Eco Award (sponsored by Poetic Brands)
Fun To Learn Peppa Pig, Redan Publishing
The Marketing Award (sponsored by Azaria PR )
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Kew Gardens
What Parents Love Award (sponsored by The Insights Family)
Disney
Best Wholesaler/Distributor (sponsored by Jazwares )
Kayes of Cardiff
Outstanding Achievement Award (sponsored by Toymaster)
Stephen and Karen Hewitt (Character.com)
Visit www.progressivepreschoolawards.co.uk
Top: Big smiles from the Progressive Preschool Award winners who are shown on stage with their trophies.
