“Proud and honoured”, “such an achievement”, “simply phenomenal” just some of the winners’ feedback from this week’s big event.
The winners of the Progressive Preschool Awards 2022 have been busy celebrating this week, with a number sharing their joy with PreschoolNews.net.
Held on Tuesday 15 November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel and hosted by Charlie Baker, the tenth anniversary event attracted its biggest audience yet.
You can read the full list of winners by clicking here.
You can also check out our exclusive photo gallery from the day by clicking here.
Roseanne Winthrop, partner and category lead, nursery at John Lewis & Partners, which won Best Department Store, commented: “We were delighted that John Lewis won Best Department Store at the PPS Awards. We are so glad that the nursery, baby and preschool ranges that we carefully curate for our customers, as well as our service, is being recognised.”
Fellow retail winner, Christine Cheung, category assistant, baby at Boots – which won Best Mixed Retailer – offered: “On behalf of all my colleagues on the baby team, I would like to say a big thank you to all those who voted for us. I’m honoured and proud to be representing our company for this prestigious award.”
For Usman Ali Ahmed, marketing director at Toys4You, which was awarded Best Independent Gift Retailer, a special place will be found in the shop to display the accolade.
Usman told PreschoolNews.net: “It was a great honour to receive this incredible award and we were extremely delighted to be acknowledged for all the hard work that our team does. We are very sure that every other nominee for this award was as capable if not more, of winning.
“We will find a special place for this award in our shop to celebrate our success and it will be a driving force to deliver an excellent service to our customers which we always try to do. Being an award winning independent will open new opportunities for us and boost our team’s confidence.”
Meanwhile, Mel Brown, design and buying director at JoJo Maman Bébé, which won Best Multiple Retailer, said that she was “surprised, but so proud and honoured”.
“I was surprised but so proud and honoured for JoJo Maman Bébé to receive this award in particular because being named Best Multiple Retailer meant the whole company was being rewarded. Winning reflects the brilliant work from not just the designers and buyers to create and source great product, but it recognises all the amazing efforts and love that the store teams, customer service and all the teams in the background put into making the experience the best it can be for the customer.”
Moving into the product categories and the winner of Best Licensed Toy Range was 8th Wonder for its Paddington range. Andrea Gornall, sales and licensing director, commented: “The whole team at 8th Wonder are delighted to have won Best Licensed Toy range for our amazing wooden and plush Paddington toy range. It’s such an achievement and the whole team are very proud. Thank you.”
Zoe Ryan, head of marketing at Fizz Creations, which was triumphant in Best Preschool Gift Range with its The Gruffalo Baby Collection, offered: “The Gruffalo gifting range for Primark was our first venture into the preschool market, so to be shortlisted as a finalist was amazing… to then be crowned winner – simply phenomenal!”
Pindy O’Brien, international licensing and market development director at Walker Books, was over the moon at the company’s win for Best Preschool Publishing Range. “We are so delighted that We’re Going On A Bear Hunt has had this recognition. Thank you to our amazing team at Walker Books to have made it possible.”
Meanwhile, Philip Kaye, md of Kayes of Cardiff, which was victorious in the Best Wholesaler/Distributor category, commented: “Kayes were delighted to receive the award among such quality nominations. After three years of unprecedented pressure, it’s great to be back with this success.”
