Underneath the glittering chandeliers of the Grosvenor House Hotel, 400 of the ‘Greats’ and the good from the gift industry (and a fair few from the greeting card trade too!) gathered at The Great Gatsby-themed Greats gift retail awards event last Thursday (May 17) which saw indies, multiples, department stores and garden centres feted with the sector’s top accolades.
“It has never been more competitive or challenging, and retailers have never had to wear so many hats, be they entrepreneur, buyer, marketeer, merchandiser, social media expert and so much more,” said Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts and Home (part of Max Publishing, which owns The Greats) in her welcome speech paying tribute to those retailers who have risen to the challenges with great aplomb as reflected in the impressive winners’ list.
The event was hosted by Pippa Evans, who impressed and entertained the audience with a witty ditty she wrote especially, about a trip to your local gift shop (see YouTube clip below).
For Amanda Oscroft, co-owner of Love it in Stamford and Bury St Edmunds The Greats 2018 was doubly memorable. Not only did Love It win a Best Independent Gift Retailer – East Anglia, but together with Rachael Barnes (of Dragonfly in Knaresborough) and Janet Stow (of Love Letters in Anlaby), Amanda was invited to draw the charity raffle, in aid of The Light Fund (which raised £3,680) in recognition of the ladies’ respective significant birthdays.
View the photos from The Greats 2018 event here
