Winners of The Excellence in Housewares Awards 2021 are sharing their joy, with many retailers recognising that this is an exceptionally special year to win one of these coveted awards, following such unprecedented and challenging times.
“We are ecstatic to win this award,” said Graham Hart, managing director of Harts of Stur, recipient of Excellence in Online Retailing. “The past two years have seen unprecedented and unpredictable demand along with ever changing working environments. This award is a fitting reward to all the staff at Harts who have worked their socks off to get the job done.”
The Harts team is also overjoyed that Harts’ Kirsty Allen scooped the Retail Employee of The Year 2021 – the thoroughly deserving champion of a stellar line-up of retail superstars.
Acknowledging the “delightful event that got us back together with so many great peers,” Justin Kowbel, co-founder of Borough Kitchen expressed the team’s delight at winning the Multiple or Small Group Retailer of The Year. “It’s one that our team all truly felt a part of. So, there were a lot of smiling, proud faces this morning on our weekly team video call.”
At Harrods, homewares buyer Margaret Osei-Bonsu commented: “We are very excited to be the winners of the Excellence in Retail Display Multiple or Department Store at the Excellence in Housewares Awards. The campaign goes back to our roots, reminding customers of all that Harrods has to offer. We are thrilled the Harrods is Home Campaign has been positively received, as this was truly a joint collaboration within the Home Category.”
At The Kitchen Range, West Wickham, partner Paul Geoghegan enthused: “We were absolutely delighted and very proud to win the Retail Initiative Award at the Excellence in Housewares Awards Night; particularly because it was an award where we were not only competing against other independents but the big multiples as well.” He continued: “Lucy and I are still glowing with excitement after the amazing night at the Royal Lancaster Hotel and the sheer surprise and pleasure of winning this award. This is a big opportunity to promote our business through social media as well as in-store.”
Meanwhile, at Upstairs Downstairs in Oswestry, owners Yossi and Raine Gliksman commented on winning the Independent Cookshop of the Year: “We, together with all our team, are feeling very honoured and extremely proud to have won this award; at this time in particular as we are coming out of a “dark period” and entering a more hopeful, bright and positive future.” Yossi added: “It is time for all independent business to celebrate their achievements and embrace the support we are all getting from our local community.”
Top: Justin Kowbel, co-founder and Simone Hillman of Borough Kitchen were thrilled to accept the Multiple or Small Group Retailer of the Year, presented by Jane Mason from sponsor DKB Household.
