After a nail-biting few months, the winners of The Greats Awards 2020 were ‘crowned’ tonight (September 30) at a virtual online event, organised by Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net.
Hundreds of viewers, including the cream of gift retail, leading gift suppliers, trade show organisers and gift industry reps and agents watched the event that was streamed on GiftsandHome. (For those who missed it, it can be viewed on GiftsandHome.net by clicking onto The Greats tab at the top, or on Max Publishing’s YouTube channel).
In her welcome speech, Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net, said: “If there was ever a year when retailers have really risen to the challenges it has to be this one. The Greats 2020 celebrate the outstanding gift retailerswho have shown true grit and determination in confronting the obstacles of the last year, pre, during and post lockdown, having really pulled out all the stops to deliver for their customers.”
She continued: “And let’s not forget the vital role suppliers have played in ensuring that retailers have been able to offer their customers a wonderful array of products, as well as a service that they have been able to rely on. We shine the spotlight on the supplier champions in the Best Marketing and Best Service awards, entirely voted for by retailers. In fact, this last year has certainly proved the importance of retailers and suppliers really working together in partnership.”
The evening was compered by Alan Dedicoat, the ‘Voice of the Balls’ on the National Lottery and Strictly Come Dancing, and Radio 2’s chief network announcer.
The ceremony culminated with the prestigious Outstanding Achievement award, which was presented to Will Gatacre, founder and managing director of Jellycat in recognition of the huge contribution he has made to the giftware industry.
The winners of The Greats Awards 2020 are:
Retail Employee of the Year 2020
Ella Bradbury, shop manager, Forget Me Not, Stubbington
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – London (inside M25)
The Indigo Tree, Crystal Palace and Streatham
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Home Counties, South and South East
All About Rose, Thame
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – East Anglia
Buy The Light, Bury St Edmunds
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Midlands and Wales
The Celtic Company, Welshpool
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – North and Northern Ireland
Kemps General Store, Malton
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – South West
Cilla and Camilla, Beaminster, Bridport and Sherborne
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Scotland
Ewe & Me and Ewe Too, Grantown-on-Spey
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Best Newcomer South & Wales
Bill & Bert’s, Colchester
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Best Newcomer Midlands, North and Scotland
For The Love Of The North, Corbridge and Whitley Bay
Best Specialist Multiple Gift Retailer
Brocante, Fowey, Mevagissey, St Ives
Best Department Store Retailer of Gifts
Barkers and Barkers Home, Northallerton
Best Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts
The Hollies, Little Budworth
Best Lifestyle Or Homewares Retailer Of Gifts
Dear Grace, Colchester
Best Gift Retailer Of Jewellery & Fashion Accessories
Jewel, St Andrews
Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts
Blue Diamond Group
Best Museum Or Visitor Attraction Gift Shop
RHS Garden Wisley Gift Shop, Wisley
Best In-Store Or Window Display
Cornucopia, Worcester
Best Retailer Initiative
Highworth Emporium, Highworth – for its Christmas campaign 2019
Best Supplier Marketing Award
Joma Jewellery
Best Service To The Independent Retailer Bronze Award Winner 2020
Lesser & Pavey
Best Service to the Independent Retailer Silver Award Winner 2020
Widdop And Co.
Best Service to the Independent Retailer Gold Award Winner 2020
Joe Davies
Outstanding Achievement Award Winner 2020
Will Gatacre, co-founder and managing director of Jellycat
The Greats Awards 2020 received wholehearted support from many leading names as sponsors. These include (in alphabetical order): Candlelight; Eco Chic; Gift Republic; GiftsandHome.net; The Giftware Association; Gisela Graham; Good Housekeeping; Harrogate Christmas & Gift; Joe Davies; Lesser & Pavey; LicensingSource.net; Little Dog Laughed; Method UK; Miffy; PGBuzz.net; Products of Change; Progressive Gifts & Home; Premier Decorations; Progressive Greetings Live; Spring Fair and Autumn Fair; Top Drawer Spring/Home & Gift, Harrogate and Wrendale Designs.
Photos and videos of winners’ reactions will be appearing on GiftsandHome.net on Friday October 2.
Visit www.GiftsandHome.net and www.thegreatsawards.co.uk
Top: Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net, at tonight’s Greats Awards 2020.
