The BTHA has confirmed that the application process for the 2021 Toy Retailer of the Year Awards 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.
Those keen to take part can click on this link.
The BTHA will also 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 – for multiple toy retailers, to include specialist and general multiples.
Omnichannel Toy Retailer of the Year – new for 2021, this 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 2021 for UK & Ireland – to 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 straight forward online process, where retailers have the opportunity to support their applications with photos. To enter, simply click here.
The event will take place in Olympia’s Pillar Hall during Toy Fair 2022 in January. Full details will be released shortly, along with the ticket process.
