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The Greats 2020
A‘Greats’
Left: Could your shop’s name be on a Greats trophy in 2020? Below: Greats winner Judy Evans, director of Williams of Audlem, with a greeting card that says it all. Bottom: Last year's winners are shown on stage at the Grosvenor House proudly waving their Greats trophies in the air.
Opportunity! Winning a Greats Gift Retailer Award has become the pinnacle for gift retailers both large and small - a prestigious retail trophy that recognises excellence, initiative, innovation and professionalism at the highest level. With the competition now in its 18th milestone year, and with an exciting new London venue for 2020, there's still time to tell us why your shop could be a winner! Once again, Progressive Gifts & Home, organisers of The Greats Awards, is on the lookout for those extra special gift retailers, gift departments, lifestyle stores, specialist jewellery shops and garden centres that, despite a tougher than ever retail climate, are nevertheless managing to stay at the top of their game. With the competition well underway, it's all systems go to discover the extra special gift retailers that stand out from the crowd. “The Greats are a fantastic opportunity for
gift retailers across the board - from the tiniest village shop to the largest multiple - to bang the drum for their achievements over the past year, with a myriad of PR opportunities for the winners and finalists that can help to boost awareness and footfall,” comments PG&H’s editor Sue Marks. Sue adds: “The Greats Awards set out to recognise and celebrate those gift retailers who have shown entrepreneurial flair in responding to the changing retailing landscape. Once again, gift retailers of all
shapes and sizes are being invited to tell us about their marketing initiatives, their community involvement, how good they are at display, whether they’ve expanded or opened a new outlet, what they do online, as well as how they use social media to promote sales.” In 2019, Greats winners wasted no time in contacting their local media to shout about their success. At Highworth Emporium in Highworth, winner of the Best Newcomer South & Wales category, owner Aga Gabrysiak, was invited to appear on Swindon 105.5 community radio’s programme to talk about her success on an hour long show, Roundabout Swindon. “Entering any award is a great time to sum up your business, look at it from a distance and actually be proud of the success you have created,” Aga told PG&H. “Working hard every day you don’t really have time to stop and think about how great your stuff is, how many great reviews your business has received, how many new customers are coming through your door, how successful your social media activity is and so much more.” Among those hitting the headlines in their local newspapers was Judy Evans, director of Williams of Audlem, winner of the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - North Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
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