Gift Focus - Mar/Apr 2020 (Issue 118)

8 Industry news CREATIVE RETAIL AWARDS INTRODUCES NEW AWARD - SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR The Creative Retail Awards is one of the most distinguished accolades within the design and display industry and recognises projects and products that have demonstrated the very highest level of innovation and excellence. The 2020 Awards have introduced new categories including Omni-Channel Experience, Bar and Restaurant Design and Best Shopfitting/Fit-Out. There is also a new category specifically to vote for your favourite suppliers – the Supplier of the Year Award. Whether you wish to nominate an unsung supply hero who isn’t often in the limelight, a trade only supplier or a multi award winning company, this award is for them. Entries for this coveted award are completely free, so don’t forget to remind your clients to nominate you. The whole of the industry has come together to support the Creative Retail Awards, with the three major industry associations championing the best in design, display and fit- out. The Creative Retail Awards, held on 4 th June, 2020 are the only awards to be supported by the Shop & Display Equipment Association (SDEA), National Association of Shopfitters and Interior Contractors (NAS) and the British Display Society (BDS) – who all want to support and encourage the very best the industry has to offer. Now is the time to promote your company and be recognised for your hard work to a worldwide audience. Winning an award puts you centre stage with the world’s most visionary and influential retailers and designers, including Chanel, Vodafone, Flannels, Primark and Pandora amongst others. Find out more and enter at creativeretailawards.com/ supplieroftheyear SQUIRE’S GARDEN CENTRES DONATE NEARLY £18,000 Visitors to Santa’s grotto at Squire’s Garden Centres last Christmas have helped to raise nearly £18,000 for local charities. Squire’s donated £1 to charity for every child who went to its magical grottos. Customers also showed that Christmas is a time of giving, by putting money into special wishing wells, fountains and collection boxes at Squire’s, adding to the amount given. The total amount raised was £17,819.12. The funds will help provide vital support for numerous local charities including Woking Age Concern, Horsley & Bookham Riding for the Disabled, Integrated Neurological Services, SASH, The Meath, Royal Star & Garter, Elmbridge Mencap, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, Cancer Research, Carers Support West Sussex and COATES Crowthorne. Sarah Squire, chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres commented: “It’s fantastic to be able to bring some New Year cheer to the local charities that we support by donating money from our Christmas grottos, plus the generous donations received from our customers over the festive season. Each of our 16 garden centres supports a charity that’s close to them, both physically and emotionally, so I hope that the money we have raised will help them with all the great work that they do.” Catch up on all the latest in our news round up