Stationery Supplies owner lifts indie retailer trophy for third year running
It was party time for the face of National Stationery Week as Sarah Laker bossed it again to lift the BOSS Federation’s Independent Retailer Award for the third year running.
“Just wow, wow, wow!” was the reaction from Sarah, who runs Stationery Supplies in Marple and Wilmslow, after collecting the trophy at the British Office Supplies & Services Federation’s big night in Manchester a few days ago.
And the woman who is already a high-profile name in the industry, taking the lead in heading up activities for National Stationery Week 2024 – part of the London Stationery Show package that’s just been bought by PG Buzz owner Max Publishing – was also highly commended in the Professional Of The Year category in the BOSS awards, further reaffirming her commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
At the awards on Thursday, 30 November, the judges acknowledged: “Every industry would love to have a Sarah. The breadth of Sarah’s engagement across the industry and her involvement in promotion of the industry is impressive. Her sharing of best practice and her ongoing promotion of the industry shows a generosity of spirit which is not always found in today’s businessperson.”
And a great evening was had by all as the other finalists in the retailer category were Sarah’s good pals Sandra Jervis, of Creative Cove in Lampeter, and Ray Williams, at JPS Stationers in Chesham, along with Universal Office Equipment, run by Elliot Jacobs from his post office network in Camden, Crouch End, East Finchley, Hertford, Muswell Hill, Potters Bar, Stoke Newington and Ware.
Sandra, who lost out to her mate for the second year in a row, laughed: “The three of us were up against each other but, as such good friends do, we’re all celebrating.”
And the following day Sarah’s daughter Molly, who is manager at the Wilmslow store, got the news out on national radio when she phoned in to Sara Cox’s All Request Friday show to ask for Elton John’s Crocodile Rock for her mum, telling the BBC Radio 2 DJ all about Sarah’s achievements – the chat can be heard in the clip below.
“I’m totally blown away,” a delighted Sarah said. “I’m so bloody proud of the community I’ve built around my shops, both locally and nationally, and to be recognised for this is simply amazing. I was up against some incredible people and I wish we all could’ve won.
“I have an incredible passion for what I do and the service I provide to my customers and the communities in which Stationery Supplies operates, but also for our industry as a whole, which makes the recognition alongside other such high-profile business names so mind-blowing! I really couldn’t do it without my dedicated team and loyal, valued customers.”
For the awards night, where the headline sponsors were 3M, Antalis, Avery, Bic, Exertis Supplies, Tork and YPO, Sarah was a guest of her dealer group Nemo Office Club, and group md Tim Beaumont commented: “It was a fantastic evening, and no surprise to see Sarah’s entrepreneurism and passion recognised once again, up against some very strong opposition.
“During these times when retail businesses in particular are facing constant challenges, Sarah remains a shining beacon for what can be achieved.”
