Retailers can submit self-nominations and a panel of experts will propose candidates for the Retailer of the Year Awards which will be presented during Toy Fair.
The British Toy & Hobby Association, organisers of the Toy Retailer of the Year Awards has announced that the 2023 retailer application process is now open.
Retailers can compete nationally in like-for-like categories and can apply in more than one category, if applicable. Self-nominations are permitted, together with nominations coming from a panel of nationwide industry experts. Retailers should visit the website here to take part.
The BTHA will continue this year with the option for independent and smaller multiple retailers being able to include short testimonials from their suppliers. This is intended to strengthen an entry for the benefit of the retailer and the judges when assessing the entry.
The category definitions are as follows:
- Independent Toy Retailer of the Year – single store
A category for an independent toy retailer with one store.
- Independent Toy Retailer of the Year – multi store
A category for an independent toy retailer with more than one store (with no upper store limit) also to include UK department stores or independent multi store retailers with toy aisles
- Multiple Toy Retailer of the Year
This category is for multiple toy retailers to include specialist and general multiples
- Omnichannel Toy Retailer of the Year
This new category is for toy retailers with both an online and on-shelf offering
- Online Excellence
Companies can enter this category if their main business is through online sales OR if there are online toy sales which complement main store retailing. This category will be judged on the toy offering of the website alone.
- Best Overall Toy Retailer of the Year 2023 for UK and Ireland
Will be selected as overall winner from the winners of the other categories
- Judges Special Recognition Award
Judges have the ability to make a Special Recognition Award at their discretion after considering all entries. This is not a category for which retailers can actively submit an entry.
Entry into the Toy Retailer of the Year awards has been designed to be a straightforward online process where retailers have the opportunity to support their applications should be supported with photos. To enter, simply visit here.
Details of the awards event will be released shortly along with ticket details. The Toy Industry Awards evening provides the perfect opportunity to mix with industry colleagues, partners and employees at a key industry gathering during Toy Fair.
For enquiries about the Toy Industry Awards event or the Retailer of the Year Awards process, contact Matt Jones, head of Digital & Services at the BTHA on Matt@btha.co.uk.
