The finalists in the five major retail categories at the Progressive Preschool Awards 2024 – Best Supermarket, Best Multiple, Best Mixed Category, Best Department Store and Best Online – have been revealed today (24 October).
The news follows on from the announcements on the Product finalists, Independent retailer 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 2024. Panel members included: Charlotte Hyson, Paramount CP; Zara Grindrod, Rainbow Designs; Chris Lohmeyer, DKB Toys & Distribution; Brett Capon, BIBS; Simon Oliver, RKW (Chicco); Jeremy Minchin, Hippychick; Ashley Holman, ToyTopic; Samantha Bourne, Jazwares; Anne Bradford, Poetic Brands; Cat O’Brien, Hasbro; David Sprei, Penguin Ventures; and Christine Roberts, Misirli. The panel was chaired by Progressive Preschool’s publisher Rob Willis, with group editor Samantha Loveday and PPS commercial manager Jo Cassidy (each of whom do not vote).
The winners will be crowned at a glittering lunchtime ceremony on Tuesday 12 November at the Royal Lancaster London.
“Today’s lively debate with voices from all specialisms within the preschool product supply arena, allowed for great discussion and democracy to arrive at a set of finalists reflective of their achievements in the retail space over the last year,” commented Rob Willis, coo at Max Publishing (which owns and organises the Progressive Preschool Awards).
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
- British Garden Centres
- Home Bargains
- Marks & Spencer
- Primark
- The Works
Best Department Store Retailer of Preschool Products
- Elys (Morleys Group)
- Fenwick
- Harrods
- Jarrold
- John Lewis
- Selfridges
Best Online Retailer of Preschool Products
- Argos.co.uk
- Character.com
- George.com
- JohnLewis.com
- Kidly.co.uk
- Mamasandpapas.com
- My1stYears.com
- NaturalBabyShower.co.uk
- Next.co.uk
- SmythsToys.com
- TheToyShop.com
- Very.co.uk
Sponsors of the 2024 event include: Acamar Films, Allison Baby (Joie), Aykroyd & Sons, Azaria PR, BBC Studios, BTHA/Toy Fair, Chicco (RKW), DKB Toys & Distribution, Good Play Guide, H&A, Harrogate International Nursery Fair, Hasbro, Hippychick, Jazwares, Juratoys, Magic Light Pictures, Media Snug, Misirli, Moonbug Entertainment, Paramount, Penguin Ventures, Poetic Brands, Rainbow Designs, Redan Publishing, The Insights Family, Trixie, Toymaster and Vista PR.
Tickets and tables for the event 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. It is recommended that you reserve your place(s) as soon as possible.
www.progressivepreschoolawards.co.uk | #PPSA24
