Organised by Progressive Housewares magazine in conjunction with Bira, the Excellence in Housewares Awards night took place at the Royal Lancaster London on Wednesday (October 2) where nearly 400 movers and shakers of the housewares industry gathered to celebrate into the early hours. Awards host was popular televised comedian Stuart Goldsmith, who entertained the crowd with his witty observations on life and housewares.
In what was a notably lively event, celebrating two decades of Excellence in Housewares, the annual gathering included great fun and surprises including the return of popular highlights such as the KitchenAid Cocktail Station, popcorn from SMART Worldwide, the glitter station, and the classic casino tables – this year sponsored by Exposé Travel (see separate news announcement).
Rob Willis, publishing director of Progressive Housewares and director / co-owner of HousewaresNews.net acknowledged that: “The 20th Excellence in Housewares Awards night was a real coming-together of industry, and it’s clear that the sector unites to celebrate their achievements as a collective – which is exactly the spirit to have, especially in tough trading climates.”
The increasing importance of sustainability was evident – not just with the new Eco Award (which went to If you Care from Eddingtons). Other ‘eco’ related winners included Potters Cookshop’s Eco Warriors (working with local schools to replace single-use plastic and scooping the Excellence in Retail Initiative Award) and reusable solutions: Hip’s CleanStraw (Top Tool and Gadget) and the Stojo Brooklyn and Mini (Excellence in Homeweares) – both from Auteur.
“It’s such a privilege to be recognised and lovely to feel we are doing something right,” enthused Vivienne Cudahy, md of Auteur.
Morleys Group was a double award winner – for the Group’s visual merchandising acumen and for Elys, Wimbledon (Best Department Store –Multiple Branch or Group Member). Richard Paulson, Morley’s buyer described winning the accolades as: “superb” and “a great reflection on the display team who have really upped their game.”
Carly Bullock, electricals buyer for Lakeland – which also picked up two awards – reflected that it was “a great evening to catch up with industry colleagues,” and that it was “wonderful to win.”
It was an “awesome” night according to Haus’ md Paul Shelley, who picked up three trophies – Plugged In and The Innovation in Product Award for two models of Veritable Indoor Gardens and The Icon Award for Wüsthof Classic Knives.
Philippa Howarth, sales controller for Le Creuset described “a fantastic night, going into the morning.”
Meanwhile, Tom Basford, sales manager at Grunwerg summed by the evening in one word: “Friendship,” adding, “We might be competitors, but we are all friends.”
The Winners of the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2019 are:
Retail Employee of the Year: Eamonn Ferry, Home Improvements Business Manager, Leekes Retail
Most Promising Newcomer: Chef’s Ware
Excellence in Direct Retailing: Lakeland
Excellence in Retail Training: Borough Kitchen
Excellence in Retail Display: Independent: Woodbridge Kitchen Company
Excellence in Retail Display: Multiple or Department Store: Morleys Group
Excellence in Retailer Initiative: Potters Cookshop
Excellence in Non-Specialist Multiple Retailing: Dobbies Garden Centres
Excellence in Specialist Retailing (Multiple and Large Independents): Lakeland
Best Department Store: Independent: Jarrold Department Store
Best Department Store: Multiple Branch or Group Member: Elys of Wimbledon
Bira Cookshop and Housewares Retailer of the Year: Prep & Richard Dare
gia UK Winner 2018-2019: Jarrold Department Store
Excellence in Cookware: GreenPan Featherweights from The Cookware Company
Top Tool or Gadget Award: Hip CleanStraw from Auteur
The Plugged-In Award: Veritable Smart Arctic White Indoor Garden from Haus
Cutting Edge Award: Signature Book & Prism Knife Block Sets from Robert Welch Designs
Excellence in Homewares: Stojo Brooklyn and Stojo Mini range from Auteur
Top of the Table Award: Bee Happy from David Mason Design
Innovation in Product Award: Veritable CONNECT Garden from Haus
The Eco Award: If You Care from Eddingtons
Icon Award: Wüsthof Classic Knives from Haus
Excellence in Innovation Award: Dexam
Excellence in Marketing Award: Le Creuset UK
Excellence in Service Award: Horwood Homewares
Honorary Achievement Award: Philip Hart
Sponsors included: Ambiente and Sherwood Events, Bira, Bira Direct, BHETA, Burton McCall, David Mason Design, The DRH Collection, Expose Travel, EKO, Exclusively Shows, FKA Brands, GreenPan, HousewaresNews.net, The Inspired Home Show, Joseph Joseph, KitchenAid, KitchenCraft and Lifestyle Brands, Le Creuset, Meyer Group, OXO UK, PR Direct, RKW Wholesale, Spring and Autumn Fair, SMART Worldwide (an SMA Worldwide Company), Tefal, Tramontina, Ultimate Products.
Top: The EIH winners on stage with host Stuart Goldsmith and PH’s Rob Willis, John Barry, Emma Cain and Jo Howard.
