The finalists in the five major retail categories at the Progressive Preschool Awards 2023 – Best Supermarket, Best Multiple, Best Mixed Category, Best Department Store and Best Online – plus Best Preschool Retailer Initiative have been revealed today (20 October).
The news follows on from the announcements on the Product finalists and the Marketing category.
Retailers have been nominated from all over the UK in the months leading up to the judging, and consisted of both self-nomination plus high levels of nominations from suppliers, reps and agents.
Following online voting, a retail validation panel comprised of experts from across the preschool industry then deliberated to arrive at the finalists for 2023. Panel members included: Elliot Bishop, Bébélephant; Simta Sawnhey, Paramount; Nivi Bhide, Infantino; Ashley Holman, ToyTopic; Samantha Bourne, Jazwares; Anne Bradford, Poetic Brands; Cat O’Brien, Hasbro; Neil Montgomery, Juratoys; and Christine Roberts, Misirli. The panel was chaired by Progressive Preschool’s publisher Rob Willis, with group editor Samantha Loveday and PPS’ magazine & event manager Jo Cassidy (each of whom do not vote).
The winners will be crowned at a glittering lunchtime ceremony on Tuesday 14 November at the Royal Lancaster London.
The finalists in the majors retail categories are:
Best Supermarket Retailer of Preschool Products
- Aldi
- Asda
- Lidl
- Morrisons
- Sainsbury’s
- Tesco
Best Multiple Retailer of Preschool Products (6+ stores)
- Hamleys
- JoJo Maman Bébé
- Mamas & Papas
- Matalan
- Smyths Toys
- The Entertainer
Best Mixed Category Retailer of Preschool Products
- Argos
- B&M Stores
- Blue Diamond
- Boots
- Garsons
- Next
- Marks & Spencer
- Primark
- Robert Dyas
- The Range
Best Department Store Retailer of Preschool Products
- Elys
- Fenwick
- Harrods
- Jarrold
- John Lewis
- Selfridges
Best Online Retailer of Preschool Products
- Amazon.co.uk
- Argos.co.uk
- BabiesRUs.co.uk
- JohnLewis.com
- Kidly.co.uk
- My1stYears.com
- NaturalBabyShower.co.uk
- Next.co.uk
- Online4Baby.com
- SmythsToys.com
- TheToyShop.com
The finalists for Best Preschool Retailer Initiative have also been confirmed.
Nominees for this award could be UK-based retailers selling preschool product that have undertaken an activity or series of activities to promote the preschool market. This award is for a retailer’s specific initiative or its overall approach over the last year (1 July 2022 to 1 July 2023).
- Bing pop up shop, Acamar Films
- JoJo Maman Bébé Helping Hands initiative
- Mamas & Papas Love for Life initiative
- PAW Patrol Aqua Pups STA campaign with Character.com
- Peppa Loves Jumping in Muddy Puddles with Smyths Toys
- Peter Rabbit x Marks & Spencer Easter 2023 campaign
Tickets and tables for the Progressive Preschool Awards 2023 can be reserved easily and securely online by visiting Max-Tickets.net or by contacting Clare Hollick at Create Events: clare@createvents.co.uk or +44 (0)1183 340085.
Sponsors of the 2023 event include: Allison Baby (Joie), Amscan International, Aykroyd & Sons, Azaria PR, BBC Studios, BTHA & Toy Fair, Bébélephant, Bulldog Licensing & Sesame Street, Good Play Guide, Grapevine Global Communications, Harrogate International Nursery Fair, Hasbro, Insights Family, Jazwares, Juratoys, Media Snug & Nursery Online, Misirli, Moonbug Entertainment, Online4Baby, Paramount, Penguin Ventures, Poetic Brands, Rainbow Designs, Redan Publishing, Toymaster, Vista PR, Walker Books, Wildbrain CPLG.
