“Over the moon”, “absolutely thrilled”, “beyond excited”, “really proud” and “such an honour” were just some of the many joyous reactions from gift retailers at the end of last week.
Whoops of delight could be heard up and down the country as retailers big and small received the fabulous news that they were among the finalists of The Greats Awards 2025, with everyone excited to share their reactions.
To see who the finalists are CLICK HERE.
“Our first reaction to hearing the news was, “Wow, over the moon for the team to be nominated as part of the best in our region, a result of all the hard work and great customer service the whole team give,” enthused Pete Whiteman, co-owner of Amore and Dzodzo in Woodbridge. “Bring on the bubbles! Wonderful to be recognised for doing a job we love.”
Also among those opening bottles of celebratory champagne was Nicola Hibon Jackson, owner of The Voewood in Blackheath Standard: “What amazing news! Totally thrilling! We were popping the celebratory fizz in store all over the weekend,” with Louise Burton, owner of Country Clutter in Chepstow saying:“Absolutely over the moon and celebrating with a glass of bubbles!”
Celebrations were also in full swing at Maybugs. “The team are overjoyed to be nominated again for The Greats, especially this year. We now we have four shops and are in the Best Specialist Multiple category, meaning we are nominated alongside some really successful gift shop chains who we admire so much,” enthused Maybugs’ managing director Greg Rose. “To be associated with them in the same breath is mind-blowing! We can’t wait to celebrate with our team and join the party in May.”
Aga Marsden, owner of Highworth Emporium in Highworth, was on holiday, on a beach in Devon, when she heard the exciting news. “Wow! What an incredible surprise end to our holiday!” she exclaimed. “What better way to wrap it up than with this fantastic news! We are absolutely thrilled and beyond delighted to be finalists in The Greats Gift Retailer Awards 2025, in not just one but two categories!The gift industry is truly incredible, filled with so much passion, creativity and dedication, and we feel so lucky to be a part of it. Being recognised in these awards means the world to us!”
Also on holiday was Caroline Ranwell, owner of Hugs & Kisses in Tettenhall. “The news has absolutely made my day! We were away on holiday when one of my lovely retailer friends messaged me to say congratulations! I almost cried when I found out! I am so very proud to be a finalist again. This industry is full of so many incredible businesses and talented people that it is an absolute honour to be a finalist in these prestigious awards!”
At House of Cards, which has seven stores in the Home Counties, co-owner Miles Robinson commented: “Brilliant to be nominated and among such great retailers from around the country.” Concurred Cesca Haskins, owner of Attico in Westbourne: “We’re beyond excited to be a finalist! We can’t quite believe it. It’s really inspired us. We’re already thinking about our future windows!” Added Shirly MacIver, owner of Orange Blossom Home & Gift in Pollokshields: “It’s such an honour to stand alongside some fabulous stores in the Best Newcomer category.”
Also overjoyed was Freckleface’s co-owner Tara Carlile-Swift. “So delighted to be a finalist in The Greats Awards 2025. Our collaboration with Laura Ashley is something we are truly proud of, and we wanted to reflect this in our stores, so we’re beyond grateful for the recognition.”
Summing up, Sally Matson, owner of Little Red and Red Card in Petworth, said:Being shortlisted is such an honour. All indies work so hard, and the challenges we are facing at the moment – price increases, trading conditions and shoplifting etc – mean that we have to work harder just to stand still! So, thank you so much, this really means an enormous amount to us.”
Tickets and tables for The Gift Awards can be booked via the Max Publishing digital box office event at Max-Tickets.net, or by contacting event organiser Createvents: clare@createvents.co.uk or 0118 334 0085.
To find out more about The Gift Awards and book tickets, visit www.thegiftawards.com; www.thegreatsawards.co.uk
Top: Bursting with joy! A thrilled Aga Marsden, was on holiday in Devon when she heard the news that her gift shop is a Greats 2025 finalist.
