Fabulous finalists revealed

After months of suspense, the full line-up of retailer, product and supplier finalists have been revealed for the 19^thExcellence in Housewares Awards. There will be another nail-biting wait until the announcement of the winners at the glitzy 80s themed Awards night on October 3 at the Royal Lancaster London Hotel. The Awards are organised by Progressive Housewares in conjunction with bira.

This year’s prestigious Product Judging Panel included buyers from John Lewis, Steamer Trading, Lakeland, Blue Diamond Garden Centre, Borough Kitchen, Debenhams, Tesco, Essentials, Fenwick, Harrods, Harts of Stur, Home Hardware, Kitchen Range, Kooks Unlimited, Leekes, Lords at Home, Potters Cookshop, Prep Cookshop, Richard Dare and Trevor Mottram.

Retailer finalists from across the UK include many first time finalists in the Awards, including Barkers, Northallerton; Brigg Garden Centre; Charlies; Garsons, Esher; Kitchen Range, Llandudno; Klondyke Garden Centres; Philip Morris Direct, and Vincent Davies and Son, Haverfordwest.

Several ‘green’ initiatives – from Hobbs the Kitchen Shop, Penzance, Lawsons and Steamer Trading – feature in The Excellence in Retailer Initiative Awards. Reusable E-Coffee cups were also one of the ‘30 Things We Love’ in Essentials of Haslemere’s initiative.

PH editor, Jo Howard comments: “This year’s finalists reflect the diversity of housewares retailing and suppliers in today’s highly competitive market and recognise the passion, innovation and dedication that goes into retail, product and supplier excellence. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our fantastic finalists in style at our 80s themed Awards night.”

Kate Godber, bira’s senior communications and PR officer adds: “bira is delighted to continue our partnership with The Excellence in Housewares Award, as these reward the creativity, inventiveness, and hard work of the housewares industry – all the more important in today’s challenging environment.”