The winners of this year’s ERT Awards have been announced!
The prestigious ceremony took place this week at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, celebrating the best and brightest from across the electrical retail sector.
The day also featured the return of the Turning Point Live! Conference, with an impressive line-up of guest speakers, including leading independent electrical retailers, industry experts and high street champions.
At the Awards, Bristol-based NE Appliances picked up the coveted Turning Point Award, sponsored by Electrical Safety First. During lockdown at the start of this year, MD Ben Gilks completely rebranded the business and opened a new retail destination store on the outskirts of the city. These game-changing activities impressed this year’s judges.
Best Independent Domestic Appliances Retailer – Large, sponsored by Sirius Buying Group, was awarded to Donaghy Bros in Northern Ireland, while Best Independent Domestic Appliances Retailer – Small went to Hosies in Scotland.
In the category for Best Independent Consumer Electronics Retailer – Large, Avensys picked up the trophy, and in Best Independent Consumer Electronics Retailer – Small, Dorset-based Dacombes of Wimborne was the winner.
Elsewhere, RDO Kitchens & Appliances (www.rdo.co.uk) received the accolade for Best Independent Electrical Retailer Website, sponsored by Calculus Software Solutions – this is the second year in a row RDO has won this award!
The trophy for the Sales Excellence Award this year went to Julie Gray at Dacombes of Wimborne; the judges were impressed with the entry nomination for Julie and the evidence of her hard work and determination to make the store stand out for its home entertainment and appliances services.
Meanwhile, on the supplier side, Jordan Scott from D.A.D/Montpellier received this year’s Sales Representative Award, and Best Supplier Customer Service went to Ruark Audio. The Training Provider Award was picked up by Miele GB.
The product category winners were:
- Best New Product – Consumer Electronics: Sony for the 2021 BRAVIA TV Line-up;
- Best New Product – Major Domestic Appliances: Montpellier for the MFF185DX Fridge-Freezer;
- Best New Product – Small Domestic Appliances: The Funky Appliance Company for The Funky Toaster.
Editor of ERT magazine, Jack Cheeseman, said: “Huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners! And thank you to everyone that took the time to enter the ERT Awards during challenging conditions this year.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs over the past two years, and retailers have had to overcome a few challenges. However, we have also heard great success stories from many up and down the country really going the extra mile; they’ve been going above and beyond to reach and serve their loyal customers during recent trying times.
“These retailers are highlighted and celebrated through the ERT Awards – an event which brings together retailers and suppliers to celebrate and recognise excellence across the electrical retail industry!
“A huge thank you to our partner sponsors and to everyone that attended this year’s event and made it another one to remember. And congratulations once again to all the finalists, highly commended and of course the winners!”
The winners list in full:
Retailer categories
Turning Point Award: NE Appliances
Best Independent Retailer Website: RDO Kitchens & Appliances
Sales Excellence Award: Julie Gray, Dacombes of Wimborne
Best Independent Consumer Electronics Retailer – Large: Avensys
Best Independent Consumer Electronics Retailer – Small: Dacombes of Wimborne
Best Independent Domestic Appliances Retailer – Large: Donaghy Bros
- Highly Commended: NE Appliances
Best Independent Domestic Appliances Retailer – Small: Hosies
- Highly Commended: Coopers Stores
Manufacturer/supplier categories
Best New Product – Major Domestic Appliances: MFF185DX Fridge-Freezer – Montpellier
- Highly Commended: Serie 4 WNA134U8GB Washer Dryer – Bosch
Best New Product – Small Domestic Appliances: The Funky Toaster – The Funky Appliance Company
- Highly Commended: PowerClean Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, VRT94929VI – Beko
Best New Product – Consumer Electronics: BRAVIA TV Line-up 2021 – Sony
- Highly Commended: SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar – Yamaha
Sales Representative Award: Jordan Scott – D.A.D/Montpellier
- Highly Commended: Stuart Hoad – Big Red Sales
Training Provider Award: Miele GB
Best Supplier Customer Service: Ruark Audio
