The 2012 Award Categories:

MANUFACTURERS

1. Best Advertising Campaign

1.1. Consumer Electronics

1.2 Domestic Appliances 

Awarded for the most creative and effective advertising campaign which supports and underpins the sales activity of a CE/DA product, with effectiveness being demonstrated via consumer awareness and sales results.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Innovation in creative execution
• Campaign success
• Impact on sales

2. Technical Innovation Award

 2.1 Consumer Electronics

2.2 Large Domestic Appliances 

2.3 Small Domestic Appliances  

Awarded for the most innovative product (new or redeveloped within the last 12 months), with effectiveness being demonstrated via operational features and consumer benefits.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Technical innovation
• Operational features
• Consumer benefits
• Product success

3 Eco/Energy Saving Award

3.1 Consumer Electronics

3.2 Domestic Appliances

Awarded for the most innovative product (new or redeveloped within the last 12 months), or manufacturing process, which has made a significant contribution to environmental issues, such as energy saving, emissions controls, noise reduction or life cycle costs.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product’s eco-friendly features (environmental and energy saving)
• Operational features
• Customer benefits
• Product success

4. Best Training Award

4.1 Consumer Electronics

4.2 Domestic Appliances

Awarded to the electrical goods manufacturer who demonstrates the greatest commitment to training its retail trade partners, and helping them to remain competitive, achieve business success and deliver best results for the manufacturer.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Investment in retail partners training
• Choice of training methods and formats
• Flexibility of training provision – demonstrating their understanding of the business needs of the independent
• Impact on retail partners’ business

5. Best Accessory – Consumer Electronics and Domestic Appliances

Awarded for the most innovative accessory in both the CE and DA sectors which helped  to create of a significant revenue stream for both the manufacturer and independent retailers.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product ranges’ suitability for independents
• Sales support (material and activity)
• Sales effectiveness through the independent channel

6. Best Floorcare Product

Awarded for the most innovative floorcare product (new or redeveloped within the last 12 months), with effectiveness being demonstrated via operational features and consumer benefits.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Technical innovation
• Operational features
• Consumer benefits (inc suitability for particular needs)
• Product success

7 . Lifetime Contribution Award

Awarded to the individual, who, in the opinion of his/her peers, has demonstrated a life-long contribution to the electrical industry and continued support for the independent sector.

8. Special Representation Award

Awarded for the best manufacturer’s representative. For this award independent electrical retailers nominate the sales representative who best supports them with their help and advice.

INDEPENDENTS

9. Best Independent Retailer - Consumer Electronics (Small)

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover below £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of consumer electronics.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Staff Training
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

10. Best Independent Retailer - Consumer Electronics (Large)

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover above £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of consumer electronics.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Staff Training
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

11. Best Independent Retailer - Domestic Appliances (Small)

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover below £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of domestic appliances.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Staff Training
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

12. Best Independent Retailer - Domestic Appliances (Large)

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover above £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of domestic appliances.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Staff Training
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

13. Best Small Independent Retailer, Consumer Electronics & Domestic Appliances

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover above £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector in the areas of consumer electronics and domestic appliances.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Staff Training
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

14. Best Large Independent Retailer, Consumer Electronics & Domestic Appliances

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover below £1.5m that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector in the areas of consumer electronics and domestic appliances.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Staff Training
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.

15.  Best Customer Service Award

Awarded to the best independent retailer (large or small) that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its professionalism and overall commitment to the effective delivery of customer service excellence.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service Initiatives
• Staff Training
• Special 'added-value' Promotions
• Customer Testimonials (where available)
• Overall Business Ethos

16. Best Regional Multiple Retailer

Awarded to the best independent retailer with a turnover in excess of £5M, which has minimum of 10 or more outlets, that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufactures and fellow retailers for its services to both the general public and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the areas of consumer electronics and domestic appliances.

Entries are required to demonstrate:

• Product Knowledge
• Customer Service
• Staff Training
• Product Displays (windows and/or in-store)
• Local Promotion/Publicity
• Business Management*

*covering such factors of order processing, stock control, invoice payments and overall professionalism in running the business.