The Giftware Association was proud to attend and sponsor the honorary lifetime achievement award at The Greats Awards organised by Progressive Gifts and Home magazine, celebrating the best in gift retailing, held at The Grosvenor hotel on Park Lane London on Thursday 17^th May. The Great Gatsby themed included games, raffles and entertainment from comedienne Pippa Evans.

The Greats, now In its 16^th and glorious year remain one of the most prestigious awards in the retailing community with a stellar line up of retail entrepreneurs, sponsors, gift suppliers and manufacturers all in attendance. The Giftware Association was extremely proud to be one of the sponsors this swanky event and to take along some of our members and service providers to share this experience and drink in the excitement and fun of the day.

After an afternoon of celebrating the best in gift retailing from the width and breadth of the country celebrating the best retail shop, best department store to the most hardworking employee, Henri Davis, Chairman of The Giftware Association presented the Honorary Achievement award to John Atwal, OBE from Premier Decorations for recognition for all he has done for the gift industry. Accepting the award from Henri Davis he was in good spirits and extremely moved to have been chosen.

This prestigious award is presented to an individual who has contributed greatly to the UK gift industry, nominations are received from across the industry with the winner being from either retail or supplier but recognised by all. Congratulations to all the winners on the day

THE GREATS 2018 WINNERS

Retail Employee of the Year 2018 – Peter de la Mare, store manager, England At Home, Brighton

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – London (inside M25) – Max and Melia, Clapham

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Home Counties, South and South East- Alligator Pear, Tadworth

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – East Anglia – Love It, Bury St Edmunds and Stamford

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Midlands and Wales – Mooch Gifts and Home, Stourport-on-Severn

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – North and Northern Ireland- The Gift Gallery, York

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – South West- Brocante, Fowey

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Scotland- The Gift, Beauly

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Best Newcomer South & Wales- Josie’s Bideford

Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Best Newcomer Midlands, North and Scotland- Joco Interiors, Nuneaton

Best Specialist Multiple Gift Retailer – Oliver Bonas

Best Department Store Retailer of Gifts – Fenwick Bracknell

Best Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts – Bookends, Christchurch

Best Lifestyle Or Homewares Retailer Of Gifts – Etcetera, Hitchin

Best Gift Retailer Of Jewellery & Fashion Accessories – Pozzi, Buckie

Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts – Ransoms Garden Centre, St Martin

Best Museum Or Visitor Attraction Gift Shop – ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Best In-Store Or Window Display – The Shop At The Emporium, Clitheroe

Best Online Or  Mail Order Gift Retailer – Fine Me A Gift

Best Retailer Initiative – Lulu Loves, Stubbington, for its Hygge weekend initiative

 

Best Service To The Independent Retailer Bronze Award Winner 2018 – Parlane

Best Service to the Independent Retailer Silver Award Winner 2018 – Widdop and Co

Best Service to the Independent Retailer Gold Award Winner 2018 – Joe Davies

 

Honorary Achievement Award Winner 2018 – John Athwal OBE