The Retail Week Awards, which have been celebrating excellence in the retail sector for over 25 years, are introducing eight ‘Frontline Hero’ categories for 2021 to celebrate and give thanks to individuals working in retail who have gone above and beyond to help keep the nation going during the pandemic.
“Retail is a huge part of how we live in Britain and the coronavirus pandemic has meant we are operating in truly unprecedented circumstances. Throughout the crisis, we have all witnessed how vital the retail industry is to our daily lives and been thankful for frontline heroes working in this fantastic sector, from store workers through to the leadership team,” said Retail Week events director Poppie Mickleburgh.
“How the industry has reacted and responded to the pandemic has been a lifesaver for many. It is for this reason that, for 2021, we not only want to recognise the industry as a whole, but also spotlight those people who selflessly continued going to work putting themselves at risk to make all of our lives more bearable at a time when many were at their most vulnerable.”
The Retail Week Awards (which will take place on 25 March, 2021) move to a new home next year – Battersea Evolution in London – and will be partnering with the retailTRUST. By partnering with the retailTRUST, who have decided to not run their annual gala dinner in 2021, the Retail Week Awards will be able help the industry’s charity to raise valuable funds to provide emotional, physical, vocational and financial support to people working in the UK retail sector during one of the most uncertain periods in its history.
The eight ‘Frontline Hero’ categories are:
- Store Manager
- Store Colleague
- Store Team
- Distribution Centre Colleague
- Initiative
- Delivery Colleague
- Head Office Colleague
- Head Office Team
These trophies will be presented alongside ten further awards:
- The Responsible Retailer
- The Customer Experience Award
- The Best Place to Work
- Be Inspired Diversity Champion Award
- Best Retailer over £250 million
- Best Retailer under £250 million
- Outstanding Contribution
- Leader of the Year
- The Retail Activist
- Consumer Choice Award
Proceeds from the charity auction held on the night will be donated to retailTRUST and Retail Week is also asking retailers to consider making an optional donation of £100 per award application.
Entries are open now at www.retailweekawards.com and will remain open until 11 September. Attendees will also be able to buy charity tables, where £200 per head will be donated to retailTRUST on behalf of the retailer.
“The pandemic has had a profound effect on the UK retail sector. For many people working on the retail frontline, the last five months have been physically and emotionally stressful. Many more are facing an uncertain future marred by mental, emotional and financial instability. The retailTRUST exists to provide a valuable lifeline to everyone working in retail and partnering with the Retail Week Awards will help us to raise valuable funds needed to help us do this,” commented Chris Brook-Carter, retailTRUST CEO.
