The search is now underway to unearth the UK’s best greeting card retail stockists as The Retas 2020 awards are open for entries. The word ‘unearth’ is especially pertinent this year as the theme of The Retas awards event this year is ‘The Finery of Greenery’.
The only dedicated awards for greeting card retailers, winning a Retas trophy is recognised as a true accolade of retailing excellence in the sector, with award categories covering indies through to multiple chains, department stores to grocers and everything in between. Publishers, agents and reps are now being canvassed for their nominations while retailers are being encouraged to nominate their shops.
An entry form is downloadable from the website – www.theretasawards.co.uk
The deadline for entries is Friday 20 March.
“So many greeting card retail stockists have pulled out the stops over the last year to survive and prosper in these challenging times. We’re really looking forward to rewarding retail excellence, inventiveness, passion and commitment – the greeting card retailers who stand out head and shoulders from the crowd,” states Warren Lomax, joint md of Max Publishing, who owns and organises The Retas. “While we are seeking nominations from publishers, agents and reps for their nominations, we urge retailers not to be modest and make the most of the PR and morale-boosting opportunity to put themselves forward and blow their own trumpet.”
In addition to the retail categories, there is also an award for Best Retail Employee, for those special members of staff who have gone the extra mile as well as Best Retail Initiative, which is for a specific promotion or piece of activity that a retailer has undertaken in the last year.
The stature of The Retas has attracted an impressive line-up of sponsors each wishing to pledge their support for these important awards. These include Abacus, The Art File, Belly Button Designs, Cath Tate Cards, Carte Blanche Greetings, Hallmark, Ling Design, Nigel Quiney Publications, Ohh Deer, Paperlink, PG Live, Pigment, Second Nature, Sensations, UK Greetings, Wendy Jones-Blackett and Woodmansterne, with more to follow.
All Retas winners will be announced at a glittering Awards lunch and afternoon event to be held on Wednesday July 8 in the Ballroom of the Grosvenor House Hotel. To be among the best card retailers in the UK as well as some great card publishers, book your ticket online via Max-Tickets.net or contact The Retas’ awards manager Clare Hollick, director of Createvents/Keystone Communications on 01733 294524/07769 905959 or clare@createvents.co.uk.
In keeping with the theme of The Retas, the talented Lianne Harrison, founder and creator of Paperwhale Cards has kindly donated some of her stunning artwork as the branding for this year’s Retas.
