The Buyers Power List 2016 awards – designed to celebrate, reward and recognise the contributions of buyers and retailers throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland – were launched at ths year's Autumn Fair.
These unique accolades are won via an industry-voted nomination system, ensuring an unbiased and democratically elected group of winners. The first stage of the process is a round of nominations open to the whole industry, followed by a second round of peer nominations in which finalists will be able to rank their peers across each awards category.
The competition will honour buyers from within the UK and Republic of Ireland across the following categories: Best Buying Team Multiple (6 stores or more), Best Independent Buying Team, Best Pure Play Buying Team and the Buyers Power List itself.
The first round of nominations will also reveal a Power 30 list of 30 buyers, who industry peers will vote for and rank to produce an overall winner, considered by the industry to be the most inspirational retailer in the country.
The Buyers Power List shortlist will be compiled and reviewed in the run up to Spring Fair by an advisory panel of key industry influencers that include The Giftware Association, Bira, Bira Direct and BHETA.
Last year’s winner of the Best Independent Retailer (6 stores or more) category was Temptation Gifts. MD Mike Adams said: “We are honoured and flattered to have won this award. Temptation Gifts was established in 1983, so we have over 30 years’ buying experience in the gift industry. We now buy for our seven town-centre stores and our two multi-award winning websites, and the range of products that we carry is both wide-ranging and increasingly diverse.”
The 2016 finalists and winners will be commended and awarded at the Spring Fair Buyers Power List awards Champagne Reception, to be held on site at the show, which takes place from February 7-11th at The NEC, Birmingham. This prestigious event will celebrate the winners’ achievements during a valuable opportunity to network with their peers and suppliers.
The Buyers Power List is now open for nominations. Those wanting to vote can do so here.
