A glitzy awards ceremony attended by 400 suppliers and retailers from across the housewares sector saw the deserving winners recognised for their formidable achievements across product and retail. Host Tania Edwards was compere for the evening, bringing her unique humour and passion for commending deserving winners.
The event, organised by Progressive Housewares magazine in conjunction with bira, took place at the Royal Lancaster London with finalists and winners celebrating until the early hours, enjoying the 80s electric dreams theme – with a new world record for the most amount of housewares contacts covered in sequin glitter.
Rob Willis, publishing director of Progressive Housewares and HousewaresNews.net opened proceedings saying: “Whether you’re a supplier, retailer, or anyone in between, your individual contribution to this industry will always be noted, and this is your night to celebrate being a part of a seriously vibrant industry.” Jo Howard, editor of Progressive Housewares and HousewaresNews.net continued the industry praise, commenting: “My thanks to all the suppliers who entered products to create a showcase of the year’s highlights, and thank you to the 25 fantastic experienced retailer buyers who took a day out of their busy schedules to judge.”
Those who were unable to attend enjoyed the event from home, with a huge amount of Twitter traffic, a digital awards brochure, and breaking news highlighting the 2018 winners. The photo gallery will be published on Monday.
The Excellence in Housewares Awards 2018 Winners are:
Retail Employee of the Year: Sue Stone, manager, Dinghams, Winchester
Most Promising Newcomer: House UK
Excellence in Direct Retailing: Harts of Stur
Excellence in Retail Training: Borough Kitchen
Excellence in Retail Display – Independent: Potters Cookshop, Hockley
Excellence in Retail Display – Multiple or Department Store: Harrods
Excellence in Retailer Initiative: Hobbs the Kitchen Shop, Penzance
Excellence in Non-Specialist Multiple Retailing: Blue Diamond Group
Excellence in Specialist Retailing (Multiple and Large Independents): Steamer Trading Cookshop
Best Department Store – Independent: Dawsons, Skipton and Clitheroe
Best Department Store – Multiple Branch or Group Member: Fenwick, Brent Cross
Bira Cookshop and Housewares Retailer of the Year: Potters Cookshop, Hockley
Winner of the Oxford Summer School Prize: Steamer Trading
gia UK Winner 2018-2019: Potters Cookshop
Excellence in Cookware: Stellar Rocktanium Cookware from Horwood Homewares
Top Tool or Gadget Award: Barista & Co Brew It Stick from Nixxee
The Plugged-In Award: Baking Bamix from Burton McCall
Cutting Edge Award: Signature Q Knife Block Range from Robert Welch Designs
Excellence in Homewares: Mepal Cirqula Multi Bowl from Mistral Brands
Top of the Table Award: Drift Barware Collection from Robert Welch Designs
Innovation in Product Award: Flex and Flex Plus Toilet Brushes from Joseph Joseph
Icon Award: Thermos Flasks from UK Thermos
Excellence in Innovation Award: Joseph Joseph
Excellence in Marketing Award: Le Creuset UK
Excellence in Service Award: Horwood Homewares
Honorary Achievement Award: Alan Hawkins
