A panel of industry experts assembled yesterday (July 11) at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel for The Excellence in Housewares Awards 2019’s Retailer Judging and Validation Day.
The full list of retailer finalists will be announced next week on HousewaresNews.net.
The Retailer Validation and Judging panel were presented with the results of the industry wide poll of retailer nominations these coveted industry awards. In addition to discussions on the shortlist for each Awards category, the panel studied submissions for The Excellence in Retail Display Awards and heard and saw submissions for The Excellence in Retailer Award.
They also discussed retailers’ training initiatives (for The Excellence in Retail Training Award) and reflected on the outstanding line-up of nominees for the Retailer Employee of the Year Award.
The panel was particularly struck with the creativity and proactive activities evident all across the housewares retailer spectrum and the many positive stories from around the UK. Tim Yeadon, national field sales manager for KitchenCraft commented: “More than anything it is great to see the energy that our independents put into their businesses and the way that they engage and inspire an ever more demanding customer base.”
The Retailer Validation and Judging panel consisted of: Bira’s Julie Holden, Burton McCall’s Mohammed Hajat, FKA Brand’s Ivan Coveney, Joseph Joseph’s Craig McAuley, KitchenAid’s Helen Simpson, KitchenCraft’s Tim Yeadon, Le Creuset’s George Mann, Meyer Group’s Richard Thorpe, Smart Worldwide’s Samir Attia and Tefal’s Stefan Kaczmarcyk. The panel was chaired by Progressive Housewares’ Jo Howard, Rob Willis, Emma Cain and John Barry – none of whom had a vote.
The Judging and Validation Day concluded with discussions on the recipient of gia (Global Innovation Award) 2019-2020 UK Award. One of the retailer winners of The Excellence in Housewares Awards 2019 will represent the best of UK housewares retailing at next March’s gia celebrations and The Inspired Home Show in Chicago (March 14-17 2020).
The finalists for retailer, product and supplier categories of The Excellence in Housewares Awards will be featured in the July/August issue of Progressive Housewares magazine, and all of the winners will be announced at the Excellence in Housewares Awards night on October 2 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
The Excellence in Housewares Awards are organised by Progressive Housewares in association with Bira (The British Independent Retailers’ Association).
This year’s sponsors include: Ambiente, Bira, Bira Direct, BHETA, Burton McCall, Exclusively Shows, FKA Brands, HousewaresNews.net, Joseph Joseph, KitchenAid, KitchenCraft, Le Creuset, Meyer Group, OXO UK, Spring and Autumn Fair, Sherwood Events / Ambiente, SMART Worldwide, Tefal, Tramontina and The Inspired Home Show. To book tickets for the big night visit max-tickets.net.
See www.excellenceinhousewaresawards.co.uk
Top: Members of the Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Judging and Validation Panel pictured with PH’s Emma Cain, John Barry and Rob Willis.
