The finalists for the independent retail categories in this year’s Progressive Preschool Awards have been confirmed, revealing the stores, to include gift shops, which have excelled within the preschool sector over the last 12 months.
In the Best Independent Gift category, the finalists are:
Brown Bear, Witney
My Small World Toy Store, Somerset
Puff’s Toyshop, Wymondham
The Growing Tree, Market Harborough
The Nursery Shop, Abingdon
The Olive Branch, Castle Donnington
Other retail category finalists are as follows:
Best Independent Nursery Retailer
A3 Baby Barn, Surrey
Bababoom, Essex
Baby Birds, Dorset
Babyland, Fife
Pushchair Expert, Boston
Tangerini, Burnley
Best Independent Toy Retailer
Hoiti Toyti Toy Shop (Toymaster), Bromsgrove
Little Imps, Glastonbury
Wally’s Toys, Thame
Weasel and the Bug, Chester
Toys UK, High Wycombe
Toy Galaxy, Ealing
Best Independent Apparel Retailer
B. Biscuit, Sheffield
Bo-Belles Boutique, Leek
My Little Things, Knebworth
Pickles & Lillies, Suffolk
Pud Store, Doncaster
Snugg, Sheffield
The finalists reflect the cross-category nature of the Preschool Awards, spanning a broad selection of retailers who have made an impact on the preschool industry over the past year, with a focus on gift, toy, nursery, apparel and other product.
Retailers were nominated from all over the UK in the months leading up to the judging, and consisted of both self-nomination plus hundreds of nominations from suppliers, reps and agents.
“The independent retail sector is certainly alive and battling for every pound in the register,” said PPS editor Jacqui Parr. “It is evident that the use of social media and local promotions has become a key factor for retailers who want to be as visible as possible, to as many consumers as possible.”
The winners will be revealed at the Progressive Preschool Awards ceremony on Tuesday 5 November, 2019 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Mayfair. Tickets and tables can be organised via the online box office.