Whoops of delight could be heard from the finalists of The Greats Awards 2022 last month, with gift retailers up and down the UK thrilled to share their reactions to the exciting news that they had made it through to the finals.
The winners will be revealed at the inaugural The Gift Awards event ceremony, to be held at London’s glittering Royal Lancaster hotel on 12 May, which will be bringing together The Giftware Association’s Gift of the Year Awards and The Greats gift retailer awards.
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This couldn’t have come at a better time! We needed the morale boost after such horrible news of Ukraine and the rise of electricity costs,” commented Priya Aurora-Crowe and Dominic Crowe, co-owners of nine Lark stores in South London, finalists in the Best Special Multiple Retailer of Gifts category.
In Hinckley, mother and daughter Trudy Tebbutt and Tilley Rathie, co-owners of Marmalade Meringue, a finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Midlands and Wales category, exclaimed: “We are absolutely over the moon. Royal Lancaster hotel here we come!” added Tilley.
“The news made our day,” said Jon May, co-owner, Mooch Gifts & Home in Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn, a finalist in the Best In-Store/Display category. “It really lifted our spirits, and we did a happy dance in both stores!”
Equally thrilled was Jo Webber, co-owner of Jo Amor in Tiverton, a finalist in the West and South West category. “This is great news and such an honour for our happy place in Tiverton. So proud to be part of such a kind, supportive industry.”
“A genuine boast to our spirits. We couldn’t be happier!” exclaimed Keiron Cockley, co-owner of five Brocante gift and lifestyle shops in Cornwall, a finalist in the Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Gifts category and also the Best Retailer Initiative category.
Also sharing her excitement was Judy Evans, owner of Williams of Audlem in Audlem, a finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – North, Northern Ireland and Scotland category. “I cannot wait to dust down my party frock for the awards evening, with the chance to meet and mingle with fellow finalists and industry elites! Beyond excited!”
Further North, Scott Nicol, co-owner of Keepsake Scotland in Inverness, Loch Lomond, Pitlochry and Stirling, a finalist in the Best Specialist Multiple of Gifts category, declared: “What fantastic news! We’re absolutely buzzing to have reached The Great Awards 2022 finals here at Keepsake Scotland! The team are over the moon!”
Meanwhile at Yarnton Home and Garden, Yarnton, finalists in the Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts category, visual merchandising manager Celia Leeson-Cox exclaimed: “Bowled over with excitement! Absolutely thrilled! We’re looking forward to a fabulous evening on 12 May.”
The Gift Awards event, to be held at London’s glittering Royal Lancaster hotel will bring together The Giftware Association’s Gift of the Year Awards and The Greats gift retailer awards – currently celebrating their 20th milestone year – organised and owned by Max Publishing, publishers of Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net.
At the lavish awards event, both gift product excellence and retail prowess will be recognised and rewarded.
Tickets and tables for the awards event on 12 May 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.
The Gift Awards 2022 enjoys a strong roster of sponsors including Spring Fair and Autumn Fair as headline supporter, plus: Abysse Corp; Ankorstore; Brand Licensing Europe; British Allied Trades Federation (BATF); Candlelight; Cardzone; Carte Blanche Greetings; Gift Republic; Gisela Graham; Home & Gift Harrogate; Joe Davies; Lesser & Pavey; Life Charms; Progressive Greetings Live; Talking Tables; Top Drawer and Widdop and Co.
To find out more about The Gift Awards and book tickets, visit www.thegiftawards.com and www.thegreatsawards.co.uk
Top: Celebrating the wonderful news at Keepsake Scotland in Loch Lomond, from left to right: owner Scott Nicol; sales advisors Tracey Barnes and Jacqueline Simpson and store manager Karen Hamilton.
