The Creative Retail Awards and Save The High Street have a new partnership to promote the importance of design and display in independent retail. Furthermore, Save The High Street is sponsoring the Best Independent Store category at the 2022 Creative Retail Awards.

The Creative Retail Awards take place annually. They recognise and reward innovation and excellence in retail, leisure and hospitality design, display and experience. The Awards also span several disciplines, including store design, surfaces, omnichannel, technology, sustainability, lighting and more.

 

 

Save The High Street is an industry movement to ensure successful high streets, now and in the long term. The initiative supports over 25,000 local businesses.

John Abbate, the retail design and visual merchandising expert on the Save The High Street Advisory Board, is a staunch believer that effective design and display can provide a real competitive advantage to independent retailers.

“Independents are the heartbeat of our high streets,” says Abbate. “They offer the local community and beyond a unique and personal shopping or service experience. Their ability to provide a more ‘personal touch’, together with the individual look and feel of their physical space, adds character and diversity to our high streets. The freedom of the independent to express their personality in creative ways provides an advantage over national chains, which can often lack variety and feel impersonal.

“Many large brands often try to emulate the spirit of an independent shop, but no one can do it as authentically as the real thing. And that’s what we need more of in the retail design and display world, the real thing. To be inspired, creative and quirky – making retail fun. To offer a personal experience and become a ‘destination’ – even on a small budget.”

Also commenting is Antony Behiels, director of SDEA and co-organiser of the Creative Retail Awards.

“With ever more competition to attract consumers to the high street, effective VM, design and display are imperative. When it is done correctly, it will engage and attract more customers, help increase sales, and give customers a reason to return in the future. This is especially important for independent stores, which often lack the budget for large-scale marketing campaigns.”

The winner of the ‘Best Independent Store Award’ will receive access to Save The High Street’s business support platform, JO.  This is in addition to an exclusive mentoring session with one of its high street experts.

Over 500 of the industry’s elite will meet at the 2022 Awards on 22 September at Proud Embankment in London. The night will also offer networking opportunities to meet with retailers, suppliers and designers. Other highlights include a drinks reception, live music, entertainment, a DJ, and more. Tickets for the event are available to reserve here.