In a break from the usual September awards, buying group Associated Independent Stores (AIS) brought forward its bed and bedroom furniture supplier awards to coincide with its April bed show, a new-format, two-day, members-only show.
The Supplier of the Year for 2016 award in the Bed Merchandise category, voted for purely by retail customers, went to Hypnos Beds for the second year in succession, with Sealy in second place and Relyon in third.
For the new category of Bedroom Cabinet, the AIS supplier of the year was Baker Furniture, with Unique Furniture the runner up and Kingstown third.
The AIS' prestigious Gold Standard awards are given to suppliers that demonstrate a commitment to the group, and receive positive feedback from members for their product quality, deliveries and service.
The 2016 Gold Standard winners were: Hypnos, Relyon, Sealy, Silentnight, Tempur and Vispring for beds; and Baker Furniture, Kingstown Furniture and Unique Furniture for bedroom cabinet.
