With new online retail categories, this year’s National Bed Federation (NBF) Bed Industry Awards are set to take place at the Bed Show Gala Dinner (18th September) for the eighth consecutive year.
A credible celebration of the best in the industry, the awards provide an opportunity for manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of all shapes and sizes – from big brands to small niche players – to highlight their achievements.
The Bed Manufacturer of the Year (split into two awards – over £10m turnover and less than £10m turnover) and Bed Component Supplier of the Year categories remain the same. This year bed retailer entrants will be split across Large/Online Large Retailer (bed turnover over £5m) and Small/Online Small Retailer (bed turnover under £5m).
“We have run the Bed Industry Awards for eight years and over the years the retail selling market has changed,” says Jessica Alexander, executive director of the NBF. “We have reintroduced an online retail category but have differentiated between large and small and online versus traditional bricks and mortar.
“Retailers will only be able to enter one category. Larger retailers should choose the category that best describes where most (50%-plus) of their sales take place. Smaller retailers may choose either category, depending on where they think their strength lies for the 12 months being considered for the award.”
The independent judging panel comprises: Peter Mallinson, AIS; Roy Beagent, Minerva; Bernard Eaton, Greenwood Retail; Richard de Melim, Furnishing Report; and Jessica Alexander, NBF. Once again, the judges will be looking for companies who have excelled in the past year (June 2017 to June 2018) and the data that backs that up. The closing date for entries is Friday 20th July.
Last year’s winners were: Hypnos for Bed Manufacturer of the Year (over £10m turnover); Duvalay for Bed Manufacturer of the Year (under £10m turnover); John Cotton for Bed Component Supplier of the Year; Bensons for Beds for Bed Retailer of the Year (over £5m beds turnover); Prestige Beds for Bed Retailer of the Year (under £5m beds turnover); and BekaertDeslee for the Judges Choice Award.
More details on the 2018 awards, including how to enter, are available on the Bed Show website.
