Whoops of delight could be heard on Monday (18 March) as gift retailers up and down the country received the fabulous news that they were among the finalists of The Greats Awards 2024, with everyone excited to share their reactions.
“We were literally dancing around the shop singing, “We are the champions, we are the champions! No time for losers, because we are the champions!”enthused Helen Crawford, co-owner of The Old School Beauly, a finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Scotland category. “Its such fabulous news, and something that all of Beauly, our beautiful village in The Highlands, will be proud of,” stated Helen.
“This news absolutely made my day. I shouted out loud when I read the email!” said Caroline Ranwell, owner of Hugs & Kisses in Tettenhall, a finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Midlands & Wales category. “To be a finalist for this award means the absolute world to us. To be alongside the best retailers in this amazing industry makes us so, so proud.”
“I was so excited to receive the news on Monday!” said Alice Miller, manager at Bumbles in Ashtead, a finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – London, South, South East & East Anglia category. “I am super proud of my team and our small business here in Ashtead.
Continued Alice: Recognition for an award like this offers validation for all of our hard work and achievements. We are feeling a mix of excitement, nervousness and anticipation for the Awards ceremony in May!”
In Pollockshields in Glasgow, Shirley Maciver, owner of Orange Blossom Home & Gift, a finalist in the Best Newcomer Gift Retailer category, stated: “I am flabbergasted and thrilled – absolutely overjoyed! What an amazing surprise. I feel quite overwhelmed. This means so much to me.”
Meanwhile, in Brightlingsea, Olivia and Peter Reilly, co-owners of Little Boat Gifts, were jumping for joy! “That’s such fantastic news,” commented Olivia. “It’s a real mood booster to have some good news, after a really challenging time and an uncertain start to 2024. The team at Little Boat Gifts have worked so hard recently, and we are incredibly proud to make it through to the finals. It means a lot,” emphasised Olivia.
At Daisy Park in South Molton, a finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – West & South West, owner Emma Paisey exclaimed: “Wow, this was a huge and wonderful surprise! We’re very proud and still in shock. It hasn’t sunk in completely. The Daisy Park team are over the moon and honoured to be finalists with the other amazing stores representing the West and South West. Yay!!!”
All winners, including the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Achievement award, will be revealed at The Gift Awards on Thursday 16 May at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. For the third successive year, this incredible event will bring together The Giftware Association’s Gift of the Year Awards and The Greats gift retailer awards, organised and owned by Max Publishing, publishers of Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net.
At the glittering event, both gift product excellence and retail prowess will be recognised and rewarded in a true celebration of both sides of the UK gift industry.
An impressive line up of sponsors include:
Aspin, Autumn Fair, British Allied Trade Federation (BATF), Candlelight, Cardgains, Carte Blanche Greetings, Cotton & Grey, DKB, Exposé Travel, Gift Republic, The Giftware Association (GA), Gisela Graham, Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair, Home & Gift, Life Charms, Lifestyle Motivates, London Stationery Show, Messe Frankfurt, N Smith, Progressive Gifts & Home, Progressive Greetings Live, Scotland Trade Fair, Spring Fair, Talking Tables and Widdop & Co.
Tickets and tables for the awards can be booked via the Max Publishing digital box office event at Max-Tickets.net, or by contacting event organiser Createvents: clare@createvents.co.uk or 0118 334 0085.
To find out more about The Gift Awards and book tickets, visit www.thegiftawards.com; www.thegreatsawards.co.uk
#Greats24
Top: Alice Milner, manager of Bumbles in Ashtead, is shown celebrating the shop’s success as a Greats finalist.
