The Retas 2021 greeting card retailer awards are now open for entries and nominations! There is no doubt about it, in the face of adversity, so many greeting card retailers have really pulled out the stops over the last year or so, and so deserve to have this recognised – The Retas 2021 awards will do just that.
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 being canvassed for their nominations while retailers are being encouraged to nominate their shops.
The deadline for retailers entering The Retas 2021 is Thursday 15 April.
An entry form is downloadable from the website (www.theretasawards.co.uk), you can go straight to the relevant page by clicking here.
“In the face of lockdowns and restrictions, so many greeting card retail stockists have found inventive ways to ensure that they survived during these challenging times. We’re really looking forward to rewarding retail excellence, innovation, passion and commitment – the greeting card retailers who stand out head and shoulders from the crowd,” states Warren Lomax, joint md of Max Publishing, which 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.”
As The Retas awards did not take place last year and no finalists were announced, and taking account of the lockdowns when non-essential shops were unable to trade, the period covered by The Retas 2021 runs from 1 January 2020 up until 15 April 2021.
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 period covered by this year’s awards.
In keeping with the thriving passion for houseplants and gardening, as well as our yearn for green shoots of optimism, the theme of The Retas 2021 is The Finery of Greenery!
Talented designer, Lianne Harrison, founder and creative director of Paperwhale Greeting Cards (who reached the finals in The Henries 2020 Most Promising Young Designer or Artist category) has provided the artwork for The Retas 2021, which is inspired by her personal passion for plants.
All Retas winners will be announced at a fabulous Awards lunch and afternoon event to be held on Wednesday 14 July 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 on 01183 340085 or clare@createvents.co.uk.
Top: A portion of The Retas 2021 entry form.
