Winners of The Greats awards for excellence in gift retailing were unveiled at a The Savoy in London this afternoon at a ceremony hosted by organiser Max Publishing that was attended by 350 people from all walks of the gift trade. This year’s Awards were hosted by comedian Hal Cruttenden and entertained by the very glamorous and talented singer Lola Lamour.
Legendary decorations designer Gisela Graham won the prestigious Honorary Achievement Award, which was sponsored by The Giftware Association, while Joe Davies scooped the coveted gold award for Best Service to the Independent Retailer. The rest of the winners are as follows:
Retail Employee of the Year: Glenda Goodwin, Narborough Hall, sponsored by Progressive Gifts
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – London (inside M25): The Loft, Teddington, sponsored by Ulster Weavers
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Home Counties, South & South East: Bohemian Days, Gerrards Cross, sponsored by Top Drawer
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – South West: Darts Farm Gift Shop, Topsham, sponsored by Mask-arade
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – East Anglia: Quest, Bury St Edmunds, sponsored by Heaven Sends
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Midlands & Wales: Let’s Go Round Again, Wombourne, sponsored by Rose & Co
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – North & North Ireland: Nora’s Interiors & Gifts, Ilkley, sponsored by Joe Davies/Shudehill Giftware
Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Scotland: Harvey Willis, Glenrothes, sponsored by Home and Gift
Best Newcomer – South & Wales: Feather & Fern, Dorking, sponsored by Xpressions 4U and Only 4U
Best Newcomer – North & Scotland: Marmalade Meringue, Hinckley, sponsored by Spring Fair and Autumn Fair
Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Gifts: Huttons, sponsored by Lesser and Pavey
Best Department Store Retailer of Gifts: Rossiter’s Bath and Cardiff, sponsored by Jan Constantine
Best Non Specialist Retailer of Gifts: Joy, sponsored by London Stationery Show
Best Lifestyle, Homewares and Gifts: Oliver Bonas
Best Gift Retailer of Jewellery & Fashion Accessories: Bijou, Elgin, sponsored by Dansk
Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts: The Mains of Drum, Banchory, sponsored by Heathcote & Ivory
Best Museum/Visitor Attraction Gift Shop: British Museum, sponsored by Ravensden
Best Retail Display: Peppertrees, Northampton, sponsored by PixSell
Best Online Retailer and/or Mail Order Gift Retailer: Temptation, sponsored by Carte Blanche
Best Retailer Initiative: Amanti, Beverley, sponsored by Yankee Candle Europe
Best Service to the Independent Retailer: Bronze Winner Carte Blanche Group, sponsored by Progressive Greetings Live
Best Service to the Independent Retailer: Silver Winner: Widdop Bingham, sponsored by Progressive Greetings Live
Best Service to the Independent Retailer: Gold Winner: Joe Davies
Honorary Achievement Award; Gisela Graham