Buying group Associated Independent Stores (AIS) has announced its annual awards for suppliers and members.
This year’s winning retailers, voted for by suppliers, were Stokers for the larger turnover group members, and Eyres of Chesterfield for the lower turnover groups. Second and third places were awarded to Fishpools and Sterling Furniture, and William Hill and Beadle Crome Interiors respectively.
The supplier of the year for the upholstery merchandise category was Alstons Upholstery, which achieved the accolade for the fifth successive year, with Parker Knoll the runner up and Himolla in third place.
For the cabinet sector, the winner for the first time was Baker Furniture. Unique Furniture came second and TCH received the third place award.
All of the supplier winners also qualified for AIS' prestigious Gold Standard Award for service and quality – along with Ashwood Designs, Celebrity, Duresta and Sherborne on the upholstery side, and Andrena Furniture, Rauch, Value Mark and Venjakob from the cabinet category.
The awards will be presented today at the AIS furniture show at Cranmore Park, Solihull. The bed supplier award winners will be announced at the forthcoming Bed Show on 15th September.
