The Greats 2021

THE GREATS 2021 THURSDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2021

HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY, ARMOURY HOUSE, CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 2BY

#GREATS21

Greats F&B Cover 2021_GF.qxp_Layout 1 16/09/2021 13:54 Page 2

17-19 NOVEMBER 2021 ExCeL London

BRAND LICENSING EUROPE RETURNS WITH NEW DATES AND FORMAT Join the licensing community for an in-person event from 1719 November at ExCeL London, followed by an online event on 30th November - 1st December.

FIND OUT MORE AT www.brandlicensing.eu

IFC_THE GREATS 2021.indd 38

14/09/2021 09:35

Greats leader_2021_GF_muk.qxp_Layout 1 17/09/2021 09:36 Page 3

WELCOME TO THE GREATS AWARDS 2021!

Above: The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC).

T

he event stands out this Autumn as a fabulous opportunity to get back together in person to celebrate the incredible gift retailers who have gone the extra mile and then some over the past year.

Following a drinks reception to get everyone in the mood to have a truly memorable day, there’s a delicious lunch to come, specially created for The Greats Awards by the HAC’s head chef.

So have a fantastic, fun afternoon, and be sure to wave your menus in the air during The Greats’ ‘higher or lower’ competition, and also, to dig deep for our fabulous raffle in aid of The Light Fund charity.

And finally, a drum roll please, the highlight of the day will, of course, be The Greats Awards themselves, when the winners will be revealed! With such a stellar line-up of retail

entrepreneurs, we’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every one of our fantastic finalists and wish them all the very best of luck.

Have a wonderful afternoon everyone!

Sue Marks, Alison Farrell, Jakki Brown, Ian Hyder, Jo Pilcher, Rob Willis and Warren Lomax

The Greats team

The Greats Gifts Retailer Awards are organised and owned by Max Publishing, owners of Progressive Gifts & Home.

Max Publishing is an independent media company that publishes The Licensing Source Book, Progressive Preschool, Progressive Greetings, Progressive Gifts & Home, Progressive Housewares and Progressive Party. Max Publishing also organises and owns other leading B2B awards events, namely The Licensing Awards, the Progressive Preschool Awards, The Henries, The Retas, The Excellence in Housewares Awards, Brand and Lifestyle Licensing Awards as well as the Progressive Greetings Live exhibition and LicensingSource.net, PG Buzz.net, Preschoolnews.net, GiftsandHome.net, HousewaresNews.net and Partyworldwide.net (through its sister company Max Media Ventures) Copyright 2021.

The publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions nor can they accept any responsibility of the standing of any advertiser, sponsors or finalists or any organisation or individual mentioned in this publication.

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

03

WISHING A LL TODAY’S FINALISTS

GOOD LUCK!

Proud Sponsors of

The Greats Awards 2021

Printers of

Progressive Gifts & Home

and Designers for Max Publishing

Based in London, Method UK is a bespoke design, reprographics and print company which specialises in producing and managing all manner of wonderful projects

020 7691 0922 matt@thisismethod.co.uk Method UK_House Ad 2021.indd 1

13/09/2021 10:25

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:47 Page 5

RETAIL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2021 Criteria: Awarded to a special someone who has ‘gone the extra mile’ and made an outstanding contribution to the running or growth of a gift shop or gift department.

Lindsay Freeman, senior sales Kirsty Hammond, manager, No. 14 Ampthill, Ampthill assistant, Cornucopia, “Kirsty joined us in 2014, initially working one day a week.

Worcester ““An outstanding employee who has gone the extra mile over the past year. Lindsay is an integral part of our display team and continually amazes us with her creativity and displays which catch customers attention as they walk past the shop. She is a credit to Cornucopia.”

Nominated by Hannah Bishop, co-owner, Cornucopia

Alex Kirkham, manager, The Barn At The Hollies, Little Budworth “Ali is a most valued member of our team and has a great eye for detail within our shops. Her presence and forward thinking, along with her hands-on attitude, make her a fabulous all-rounder and work colleague. Ali is highly thought of by the team as she is considerate of each individual and their strengths, bringing out the best in everyone. Our customers love her too.”

Nominated by Ed Cowap, director, HFS Group

Jo Pepper, stock control, Listers Interiors, Chester, Llandudno and Shrewsbury “Jo has worked with the company for 15 years and is responsible for stock control over the three stores. She is brimming over with personality, has a positive outlook on life, is enthusiastic, full of fun and just an awesome member of staff!”

Nominated by Clare Lister, director, Listers Interiors Category sponsored by

Two promotions later, she manages eight members of staff and the day to day running of the shop. At the start of the pandemic, she convinced me we needed to move online, setting everything up unbeknown to me. It saved my business during such a difficult year. She also set up our EPOS system, with an enormous amount done in her own time. We put Christmas into the shop in one hit, with Kirsty suggesting we begin at 4pm on a Sunday and work through until we reopen the following day. I can’t imagine that many people would be happy to work throughout the night for their employer.”

Nominated by Jo Barber, owner, No. 14 Ampthill, Ampthill

Sarah Laurence, manager, MiMi, Hartley Wintney and Wokingham “Sarah is part of the foundations of the business. We never want her to leave. Having developed the EPOS system with myself from a manual system MiMi is now completed automated. Still massively involved on the shop floor, our sales teams in both stores often ask for advice via Sarah, and customers love her helpful attitude. In lockdown, she helped to instigate a website and App which are now fully functioning. Every business needs a Sarah and we are privileged to have her within our team.”

Nominated by Julianne Moore, owner, MiMi Paula Zielinska, assistant manager, Highworth Emporium, Highworth “Our lovely Paula is the heart and soul of the Emporium, filling everyone’s hearts with kindness and joy. She has been with us for four years and is more than an employee. She is family, which is exactly how she makes every customer and staff member she works with feel.We’ve never known someone so hardworking and frankly unbreakable, while still doing it all beaming from ear to ear.”

Nominated by Aga Marsden, co-owner, Highworth Emporium THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

05

006_THE GREATS 2021.indd 6

30/08/2021 12:32

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:47 Page 7

INDEPENDENT GIFT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

MIDLANDS & WALES Criteria: Independent gift retailers in the Midlands & Wales who have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year, including range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

Cornucopia, Worcester

Daisy Chain, Stratford-upon-Avon

Maddison, Harborne

Mooch Gifts & Home, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn

Nest, Broughton Astley, Stoneygate and Thurlaston Garden Centre and Tea Room

Penelope Primrose, Builth Wells

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

07

Good luck to all finalists!

Allsorted helps retailer buyers to be more successfull with gift books and gift stationery by increasing sales, fixing problems around how and when to buy the right products, and saving valuable time.

www.allsorteduk.com customerservice@allsorteduk.com 01923 474495

008_THE GREATS 2021.indd 8 10_THE GREATS 2019.indd 10

14/09/2021 15:26 08/05/2019 08:52

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:48 Page 9

INDEPENDENT GIFT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

SCOTLAND Criteria: Independent gift retailers in Scotland who have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year, including range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

Bonkers, Edinburgh and St Andrews

The Herbary, Troon

JP Pozzi/Bijou, Buckie and Elgin

Old School Beauly, Beauly

Original Artists, Gourock

Spirito, Glasgow

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

09

Congratulations and good luck to all ‘The Greats’ finalists.

We are proud to have been sponsors of ‘The Greats’ for 19 years and wish you every success on the big day.

Equilibrium® Jewellery Gift Sets

Busy Bee Gonks

Visage Collection

Village Pottery Warmers

snoozies!® Collection

Thoughtful Words Tealights

Joe Davies 149 Broadstone Road, Reddish, Stockport. SK5 7GA Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk 2021 08 - The Greats Awards Brochure A5 Ad.indd 1 010_THE GREATS 2021.indd 1

24/08/2021 14:55:19 03/09/2021 12:40

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:48 Page 11

INDEPENDENT GIFT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

NORTH & NORTHERN IRELAND Criteria: Independent gift retailers in the North & Northern Ireland who have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year, including range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

Doodle & Boom, Bangor

Flamingo Gifts, Kendal

The Pier Gifts & Home, Blackpool

Robert & Ruby, Helmsley

Sophie Likes, Harrogate

Within Reason, Sheffield

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

11

The GreATesT COLLeCTiOn OF GreeTinG CArDs in The WOrLD PG LIVE 2022 is proud to be a sponsor of The Greats 2021

Congratulations to all the fantabulous Greats finalists...

You’re all our favourites!

PG Live 2022 Tuesday 7 - Wednesday 8 June Business Design Centre, London +44 (0) 1635 297070 www.progressivegreetingslive.com @PGLiveLondon #pglive2022

012_THE GREATS 2021.indd 12

The FuTure OF GreeTinGs Book your free tickets now www.progressivegreetingslive.com

14/09/2021 09:10

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:49 Page 13

INDEPENDENT GIFT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

SOUTH WEST Criteria: Independent gift retailers in the South West who have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year, including range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

Highworth Emporium, Highworth

Jo Amor, Tiverton

Out Of The Blue, Totnes

The Inner Yard, Devizes

Kondi Gifts, Bristol

Papilio at Heritage, Bristol

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

13

www.heritageartanddesign.co.uk 014_THE GREATS 2021.indd 14

16/09/2021 18:44

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:49 Page 15

INDEPENDENT GIFT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

EAST ANGLIA Criteria: Independent gift retailers in East Anglia who have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year, including range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

Amore and Dzo Dzo, Woodbridge

Daisy Lanes, Rayleigh

Little Boat Gifts, Brightlingsea

Lovely Libby’s & Olive Branch, Billericay, Brentwood and Rayleigh

LoveOne, Ipswich

Ruby and the Angel and Ruby and the Angel ECO, Debenham

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

15

ai162789649813_Great Awards Brochure Advert 2021.pdf

1

02/08/2021

10:28

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

COME AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE EXCITING GIFTS! 0208 542 4836

www.giftrepublic.com

@GiftRepublic

016_THE GREATS 2021.indd 16

GiftRepublicLtd

sales@giftrepublic.com /Gift Republic

30/08/2021 12:34

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:50 Page 17

INDEPENDENT GIFT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

LONDON (INSIDE THE M25) Criteria: Independent gift retailers in London who have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year, including range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

The Indigo Tree, Crystal Palace and Streatham

InSpitalfields, Spitalfields

Jumping Bean, Beckenham and Honor Oak

Mooch, Ealing (3 stores)

Wishlist, Raynes Park

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

17

P RO U D S P O N S O R S O F

T H E G R E AT S AWA R D S 2021

good luck

TO A L L O F T H E FINALISTS

B E A U T I F U L G I F T WA R E D E S I G N E D B Y AWA R D - W I N N I N G A RT I S T H A N N A H DA L E 01652 680253

018_THE GREATS 2021.indd 18

info@wrendaledesigns.co.uk

www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk

31/08/2021 08:57

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:52 Page 19

INDEPENDENT GIFT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

HOME COUNTIES, SOUTH & SOUTH EAST Criteria: Independent gift retailers in the Home Counties, South & South East, who have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year, including range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

Alligator Pear, Tadworth

Lily’s Attic, Witney

Lulu Loves Home, Stubbington

Moda, Folkestone

No. 14 Ampthill, Ampthill

WOW, Hythe

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

19

SL

AY A L L D A Y March

2021

11:59 00_PG_Fe 25/03/2021 bruary 2021 .indd FC_PG_March 2021.indd

1

1

04/03/2021

Augu

st 2021

12:00

The Monthly Bible for any Retailer that is serious about selling Greeting Cards Make sure you receive your copy each and every month www.progressivegreetings.co.uk

PG House Ad_A5.indd 1

03/09/2021 19:01

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:53 Page 21

BEST NEWCOMER – MIDLANDS, NORTH & SCOTLAND Criteria: A new independent gift shop which has opened since January 2018 in the Midlands, North and Scotland, showing excellence in all areas of the retail spectrum over the past year, to include range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

Henry & Co, Ormskirk

Jessica Hogarth Shop, Robin Hood’s Bay

Inger & Rae, Harrogate

Keepsakes Scotland, Inverness, Loch Lomond and Pitlochry

The Little Christmas Shop, Ironbridge

Nutshell, Stirling

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

21

Gary Leadston

is very proud to sponsor the category of

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year BEST NEWCOMER SOUTH & WALES

best of luck everyone! with Love from Please call us on +44 (0)1243 792600 or email info@cbg.co.uk cbg.co.uk

cbgtrader.co.uk

CBG_Greats_AD_21_Ad.indd 19/08/2021 12:30 - 1 022_THE GREATS 2021.indd 22

@CarteBlancheGrp

(Cyan) (Magenta) (Yellow) (BlacK)

@carteblanchegrp @carteblanchegrp

31/08/2021 08:59

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:53 Page 23

BEST NEWCOMER – SOUTH & WALES Criteria: A new independent gift shop which has opened since January 2018 in the South & Wales showing excellence in all areas of the retail spectrum over the past year, to include range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

The Bean Hive, Kettering and The Bean Hive By The Sea, Falmouth

Frankly, Bristol

Gifts of Wales, Welshpool

Just Love Studio, Hook

Maybugs, Hailsham

The St Ives Co. St Ives

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

23

024_THE GREATS 2021.indd 24

14/09/2021 09:13

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:54 Page 25

BEST SPECIALIST MULTIPLE Criteria: Retailers with four or more shops - excluding department stores, supermarkets and garden centres – demonstrating excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year. This includes product range, product knowledge, staff training, customer care, marketing and promotion, window and product display, as well as commitment to the gift sector.

Brocante (4 shops)

Cilla & Camilla (4 shops)

Lark (7 shops)

Mooch (5 shops)

Time & Tide (7 shops)

Vinegar Hill (10 shops)

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

25

Proud sponsors of The Greats Awards 2021

026_THE GREATS 2021.indd 26

15/09/2021 16:22

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:55 Page 27

BEST DEPARTMENT STORE Criteria: The category is open to individual independent department stores, or a specific branch of a department store chain, that has shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum in the past year. This includes product range, product knowledge, staff training, customer care, marketing and promotion, window and product display, as well as commitment to the gift sector.

Barkers and Barkers Home, Northallerton

Fenwick

John Lewis & Partners

Morleys Group

Nicholls, Abergavenny, Brecon, Brecon Country, Crickhowell

Roys of Wroxham, Wroxham

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

27

Independent Licensing Agency

028_THE GREATS 2021.indd 28

14/09/2021 09:25

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:55 Page 29

BEST NON-SPECIALIST RETAILER OF GIFTS Criteria: The category is open to independent or multiple retailers for whom gifts are not their main product focus. Finalists have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the past year, to include a range of gifts, product knowledge, customer service, shop environment, marketing and display.

Bert’s Homestore, Brighton, Worthing and Hove

Bury Lane Farm Shop, Royston

Dunelm

Loch Levens Larder, Kinross

Oliver Bonas

Priory Farm Shop, Nutfield

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

29

HousewaresNews.net is the online resource for the entire housewares sector. From the publishers of Progressive Housewares, and the organisers of The Excellence in Housewares Awards, this e-newsflash portal and website delivers and is the hub of the very latest news, views and analysis from across the housewares sector – covering both supplier and retailer aspects of the trade.

With an expertly qualified email subscriber base of 3547 (and rising) readers, the twice-weekly newsflash lands directly in the inboxes of everyone in this fastpaced sector. A modern, easy to navigate website provides a central resource for the trade too, offering pithy news, indepth articles, an industry jobs board, retail analysis, digital issues of Progressive Housewares, and much, much more.

All advertising on the website is duplicated to each and every newsflash, giving advertisers huge visibility and a direct connection with retail buyers for a whole calendar month.

HousewaresNews.net is published by housewares sector experts, for housewares trade experts.

To sign up for the HousewaresNews.net newsletter please visit www.HousewaresNews.net

Advertising and commercial opportunities: John Barry advertisement manager johnb@max-publishing.co.uk Rob Willis publishing director robw@max-publishing.co.uk Editorial and content opportunities: Jo Howard editor joh@max-publishing.co.uk 32_HW_Nov_Dec 2019.indd 22_HW_July August 2020.indd321

030_THE GREATS 2021.indd 30

09/12/2019 17:30 10:51 27/08/2020

16/09/2021 11:51

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 17:56 Page 31

BEST LIFESTYLE OR HOMEWARES RETAILER OF GIFTS Criteria: This category is open to all gift retailers, independents or multiples, for whom gifts are part of a wider product mix, ranging from fashion to furniture.

Angela Reed, Cambridge and Saffron Walden

Graham And Green, Bath, Bayswater, Notting Hill and Primrose Hill

Josie’s Interiors, Bideford

Lister Interiors, Chester, Llandudno and Shrewsbury

Perfectly Lovely Interiors, Taunton

The Rounded House, Oundle

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

31

032_THE GREATS 2021.indd 32

31/08/2021 09:03

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 18:00 Page 33

BEST GIFT RETAILER OF JEWELLERY & FASHION ACCESSORIES Criteria: Open to all independent or multiple retailers who have, over the past year, demonstrated commitment and knowledge of jewellery that retails within a gift retail environment.

The Bottom Drawer, Portadown

Cilla & Camilla, Bridport

Natural Edge, Leigh-On-Sea

Mercado, Hampton Court

MiMi, Hartley Wintney

One 40, Cranleigh

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

33

2017_A5 Great Awards Advert-PRINT.pdf

C

M

Y

1

21/04/2017

11:33

Design-led room decorations & accessories . . .

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Proud to be sponsoring

BEST GARDEN CENTRE 21 RETAILER OF GIFTS 202

. . . for Christmas & all year round!

Find out more at www.premierdec.com

PREMIER DECORATIONS LIMITED • PREMIER HOUSE • BRAINTREE ROAD • RUISLIP • MIDDLESEX HA4 0EJ • UK

00_GREATS 2021.indd 1 034_THE GREATS 2021.indd 34

12:53 14/09/2021 15:27

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 18:00 Page 35

BEST GARDEN CENTRE RETAILER OF GIFTS Criteria: This category is open to all gift retailers, independents or multiples, for whom gifts are part of a wider product mix, ranging from fashion to furniture.

Blue Diamond Group

Garsons, Esher and Titchfield

Longacres Garden Centre Group

Ruxley Manor Garden Centre, Sidcup

Yarnton Home and Garden, Yarnton

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

35

Licensing Source Advert A5_Layout 1 12/01/2017 13:21 Page 1

@LicensingSource

LicensingSource.net is the go-to resource for finding out what’s happening in the global licensing industry.

Including news, interviews and analysis, as well as an event diary, a hugely successful jobs board and more, The Source is the central hub of information for the worldwide licensing community.

The team behind LicensingSource.net has over fifty years experience in the licensing industry, and also own and organise The Licensing Awards, publish The Licensing Source Book Europe and an array of other market leading trade titles.

With an e-subscriber database of over 24,000 key contacts, advertisers can expect to receive high visibility, not only on the website, but also on the trusted daily news flashes and social media boasting a strong following.

For the very best information...

Go straight to The Source...

NEWS

ADVERTISING

Samantha Loveday saml@max-publishing.co.uk

Rob Willis robw@max-publishing.co.uk

Jakki Brown jw@max-publishing.co.uk

Ian Hyder ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

036_THE GREATS 2021.indd 70

14/09/2021 09:29

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 18:01 Page 37

BEST MUSEUM OR VISITOR ATTRACTION SHOP Criteria: This category is open to all independent or multiple museums, heritage outlets or visitor attractions.

All contenders are required to demonstrate commitment and knowledge of giftware within a visitor attraction over the past year.

British Museum, London

Hever Castle, Hever

Longleat Safari Park, Longleat

Milestones Living History Museum, Basingstoke

Pensthorpe Natural Trust, Pensthorpe

Royal Museums, Greenwich

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

37

Display: it’s worth taking the trouble!

Gisela Graham is proud to sponsor the award for the Best In-Store & Window Display Good luck to all the finalists!

038_THE GREATS 2021.indd 1

12 Colworth Grove, London, SE17 1LR Tel 020-7708 4956 sales@giselagraham.co.uk www.giselagraham.co.uk

31/08/2021 09:05

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 18:01 Page 39

BEST IN STORE OR WINDOW DISPLAY Criteria: Window and/or in-store displays which are either specific to one product range or of a more generic nature, which demonstrate originality and maximise visual impact.

Arrowsmiths, Broadstairs

Casa Fina, Salisbury

Dear Grace, Colchester

In Heaven at Home, Market Harborough

Omnipresent Gift Shop, Kinver

Robert & Ruby, Helmsley

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

39

040_THE GREATS 2021.indd 40

31/08/2021 09:08

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 18:02 Page 41

BEST RETAILER INITIATIVE Criteria: Open to all retailers who have undertaken a specific development or initiative that was instrumental in increasing retail growth of gift products, such as through advertising, promotions, website activity, a staff training programme or a customer loyalty programme.

The Celtic Company, Welshpool, for its video appeal to the Welsh government

Forget Me Not, Stubbington, for its Rainbow Windows of Hope campaign

Highworth Emporium, Highworth, for its Freebie Friday initiative

Lark, for its Pick and Go campaign

Magpie’s Nest, Stalybridge, for its Box of Happiness programme

Mooch Gifts & Home, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn, for Mooch Live

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

41

Industry Travel Experts

Exposé Travel – Your one-stop shop for all gift exhibitions in the UK and abroad.

EXPOSÉ TRAVEL specialises in travel to product shows worldwide. We have been offering some very special rates for flights and hotels to the many exhibitions that take place in different parts of the world and work with small boutique gift manufacturers and distributors. We are also the exclusive travel partner to the Max Group of Companies, owners of The Greats Awards and Progressive Gifts & Home Magazine, and GiftsandHome.

Dear Friends and Clients, First and foremost we hope that you are all getting back to some sort of normality after what has been a horrible 19 months. We hope that your businesses are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

As the industry’s specialist travel agent, you may have used our services in the last few years, and we hope that you were happy with our offers.

After a very quiet period for us since March 2020, Expose Travel is now getting requests from several of our regular clients for exhibitions happening in 2022.

We are ready to take your requests for 2022 and we realise that, during the continuing uncertainty, your priority will be on the cancellation terms, and the protection you want if things do go awry once more.

problems - you won’t be on hold to a call centre to try and unravel bookings and fight for refunds for months on end.

You will speak to our experts, and we will be your personal point of contact.

Again, our best wishes for a speedy return to normalcy and please do consider us your personal travel agent for the trips ahead.

Whether it’s Spring Fair, Ambiente, Maison Objet or any other, I am here to help.

Sincerely Paul Vasdev - +44(0)1883 349576 paul@exposetravel.uk www.exposetravel.uk

And that is why now, more than ever, I encourage you to use our services as a gift industry specialist.

Expose can be your one-stop-shop for flights and hotels (plus everything in-between) and you will know that you can speak to me at any time, any day - if there are fresh travel

Exposé Travel_2.indd 1

16/09/2021 12:02

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 17/09/2021 10:22 Page 43

BEST SERVICE TO THE INDEPENDENT GIFT RETAILER Criteria: This award recognises and rewards those gift suppliers for the service they provide to independent gift retailers.

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

43

Gain the competitive edge

The Giftware Association is here to help your business prosper within the gift and home industry We're at the heart of a vibrant, colurful patchwork of businesses including retailers, craftworkers, designers, and suppliers - of all shapes and sizes.

Joining the community not only helps you save time and money but also offers the opportunity to share knowledge, benefits, services, and experience with a network of like-minded businesses.

Benefit from - Specialist training from experts covering social media, pitching to buyers, setting business goals and much more

- Exclusive members-only meet the buyers events with buyers from John Lewis, Ocado and More - Business Advice covering everything from legal and IP protection, HR, and more

Whenever our members need us, we're there, Connecting, Supporting, Advising

Contact us on 0121 237 1105 to find out more about how we can help you The_GA_UK The_GA_UK

www.ga-uk.org enquiries@ga-uk.org

The Giftware Asssociation 044_THE GREATS 2021.indd 1

03/09/2021 11:52

005_045_THE GREATS 2021.qxp_Greats 2021 Brocuhre New 16/09/2021 18:03 Page 45

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2021 Criteria: This very special award will be presented to an individual who has contributed greatly to the UK gift industry. PG&H invited nominations from across the industry, with the worthy winner coming from the retail or supply side of the trade.

Winner 2009

Winner 2010

Keith Entwisle, formerly md, Caspari

Bryn Parry founder, Bryn Parry Studios, co-founder, Help For Heroes

Winner 2011

Winner 2012

Winner 2013

Winner 2014

Winner 2015

Winner 2016

Gisela Graham, founder and md of Gisela Graham

Ken Johnson, md of Enesco Europe

Mike Burgess, md of Parlane

Andrew Illingworth, sales director of Widdop & Co.

Winner 2017

Winner 2018

Winner 2019

Winner 2020

David Hicks, md, Really Good/Soul

John Athwal OBE, founder and md, Premier Decorations

Henri Davis, independent retail advisor and buyer

Will Gatacre, co-founder and md of Jellycat

Martin, Sam and Julian Oliver Tress, founder Rayner (pictured is and md, Martin Rayner), Oliver Bonas directors, Lakeland

Category sponsored by

THE GREATS AWARDS 2021

45

MAX PUBLISHING The leading specialist publishing house for the licensing and consumer products sectors, offering high-quality, content-rich publications to an unrivalled database of over 100,000 licensors, suppliers, licensees, retailers and everyone inbetween. Our titles cover all core product areas, whilst our contract publishing business has seen specialist publications for companies including Universal Studios, Warner Bros,.

Disney, Entertainment One, Hasbro, Sanrio and many more.

MAX MEDIA VENTURES The digital studio within the Max group owns and operates numerous exciting digital news channels including LicensingSource. net. The studio also offers full-service digital development from websites to apps, social media programs, audio visual creation, company re-branding, 3D modelling, with clients including Licensing International, LDN Fashion and more.

For ANY marketing requirement – IBC_Max Publishing House Ad_muk.indd 46

14/09/2021 09:42

we

t–

Get in touch: hello@max-publishing.co.uk +44 (0)207 700 6740 www.maxmediagroup.co.uk

MAX LIVE EVENTS Not only does our award-winning production company organise the highlycoveted Licensing Awards, Progressive Preschool Awards and all others in the Max group, it also organises events for a myriad of third party clients from small conferencing and licensee days to major live events for names including Toni & Guy, Licensing International, The Negotiator Awards and hundreds more.

we have the expertise and solution IBC_Max Publishing House Ad_muk.indd 47

14/09/2021 09:43

Greats F&B Cover 2021_GF_MUK.qxp_Layout 1 17/09/2021 09:40 Page 1

“THE GREATS AWARDS GIVE MUCH DESERVED RECOGNITION TO GIFT RETAILERS RIGHT ACROSS THE RETAIL SPECTRUM FOR THEIR FLAIR, TENACITY, INVENTIVENESS AND WONDERFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE”

THE GREATS AWARDS ARE ORGANISED AND OWNED BY

UNITED HOUSE NORTH ROAD LONDON N7 9DP T: 020 7700 6740 WWW.MAXMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK