Retailer Categories
There is a vast array of retailer categories up for grabs to suit everyone – whether you are a small, medium, large or superstore independent retailer.
You already know you are successful, so why not ‘shout’ about it.
Whether offering great customer service, or maybe a practical and impressive showroom that makes you stand out from the rest. You may also have an amazing online presence to highlight your business or be actively involved in local events, to promote your business.
Whatever you are good at, there is a category for you. You’re sure to find your prime opportunity to shine at the IER Awards 2025.
Best Large Independent Retailer - Major Domestic Appliances
Awarded to the best independent retailer (with a turnover above £1.5m) that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufacturers and fellow retailers for its services to both the consumer and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of MDAs.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Product Knowledge
- Customer Service
- 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.
Best Small Independent Retailer – Major Domestic Appliances
Awarded to the best independent retailer (with a turnover below £1.5m) that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufacturers and fellow retailers for its services to both the consumer and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of SDAs.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Product Knowledge
- Customer Service
- 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.
Best Large Independent Retailer - Consumer Electronics
Awarded to the best independent retailer (with a turnover above £1.5m) that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufacturers and fellow retailers for its services to both the consumer and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of CE.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Product Knowledge
- Customer Service
- 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.
Best Small Independent Retailer – Consumer Electronics
Awarded to the best independent retailer (with a turnover below £1.5m) that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufacturers and fellow retailers for its services to both the consumer and the electrical retailing sector as a whole, in the area of CE.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Product Knowledge
- Customer Service
- 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.
Best Omnichannel Retailer
Awarded to the business which demonstrates excellence across all its channels, online and in-store. The quality of service and experience will be exceptional, regardless of how the consumer chooses to shop with you.
The winner should display evidence of:
- An innovative cross-channel approach
- Investment in digital and physical presence
- Demonstration of expertise in modern, omnichannel retailing.
Best Independent Retailer Website
Awarded to the best independent retailer who has demonstrated commitment to developing its online presence and building a consumer-friendly website.
Entries are required to demonstrate
- Usability of website
- Appearance and features
- Commercial success of channel.
Rising Star Award
Awarded to the newcomer to the electrical retailing industry (within the last five years) who consistently demonstrates a willingness to learn and develop, and an enthusiasm for the industry and their own professional development.
Entries should demonstrate the candidate’s:
- Energy and ideas
- Desire to take part in training and make sales
- Dedication to delivering an exceptional customer experience in-store.
Best Independent Retailer Superstore
Awarded to the best large independent retailer who has demonstrated skill and invention to deliver an exceptional in-store experience for customers.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Innovative or unusual ideas
- Quality of execution
- Success of displays.
Best Independent Retailer Kitchen Showroom
Awarded to the best small or medium-sized independent retailer who has demonstrated skill and invention to deliver an exceptional in-store experience for customers.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Innovative or unusual ideas
- Quality of execution
- Success of displays.
Best Independent Customer Service
Awarded to the best independent retailer (large or small) that has achieved the greatest recognition amongst electrical manufacturers 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
- Special ‘added value’ promotions
- Overall business ethos.
Best Independent Retailer – Focused on Sustainability Major Domestic Appliances
Sustainability is important to be on the agenda joining traditional market drivers – safety, performance and price – in being a consideration when consumers want to buy a new product.
Judges will be looking for examples of how you are or have already adapted to these market developments, when selling MDAs.
Give examples on how you focus on:
- Selling sustainable products and features you highlight, such as energy efficiency
- The importance you place on sustainability.
Best Independent Retailer – Focused on Sustainability Consumer Electronics
Sustainability is important to be on the agenda joining traditional market drivers – safety, performance and price – in being a consideration when consumers want to buy a new product.
Judges will be looking for examples of how you are adapting to these market changes, when selling CE.
Give examples on how you focus on:
- Selling sustainable products and features you highlight, such as energy efficiency
- The importance you place on sustainability.
Best Marketing and Advertising Campaign Award
Awarded for print and/or broadcast marketing that retailers placed in 2024
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Examples of the marketing strategy
- Commercial success during & after campaign
- Increase in Store branding / awareness / ultimately extra sales
Best Independent Retailer for Repairs, Service & Spares
Awarded to the retailer providing the necessary after-sales support.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Your Range of Services provided
- Customer Satisfactions
manufacturer
/supplier Categories
The array of accolades for Manufacturer/Supplier categories, celebrate the hard work and innovation of companies and people over the past twelve months.
Whether you’ve launched a ground breaking new product or have offered unrivalled training and services, there’s an award for you at the IER Awards 2025.
Best Smart Innovation - Consumer Electronics
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
Best Smart Innovation - Major 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
Best Smart Innovation - 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
Best Training Award - Consumer Electronics
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
Best Training Award - Major 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
Best Company Representative Award
Awarded to the manufacturer’s representative who has:
- Achieved greatest recognition amongst independent electrical retailers for their understanding of independents’ needs
- For their service, always providing help and advice.
Best Marketing and Advertising Campaign Award
Awarded for print and/or broadcast marketing that suppliers placed in 2023.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Examples of the marketing
- Commercial success
- Product success
Best Accessory Award
Awarded for the most innovative accessory, in either Consumer Electronics or Major or Small Domestic appliances, which has helped to create 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
NEW! Best Innovation Accessories Award
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
Best Floorcare Product
Awarded to 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 (incl. suitability for particular needs)
- Product success
Best Distributor Award
Nominees should demonstrate:
- Effective processes, order fulfilment and business growth, to mutual benefit of retailers and brands.
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARD - Consumer Electronics
Every business has a story to tell. The winner of this award will have:
- Dedication to the environment, community or customers, that will be ingrained in the way you do business in the consumer electronics category.
Judges will want see examples of:
- How your company/brand uses CSR, with details of what you do and how you do it.
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARD - Major Domestic Appliances
Every business has a story to tell. The winner of this award will have:
- Dedication to the environment, community or customers, and that will be ingrained in the way you do business in the major domestic appliances category.
Judges will want see examples of:
- How your company/brand uses CSR, with details of what you do and how you do it.
BEST KITCHEN FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES AWARD
Awarded for innovation in kitchen furniture and accessories, which have helped to create 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
BEST B2B Services Provider AWARD
Awarded to the company providing a valuable support in implementing effective services which have effectively helped the operational side of the business in creating efficiency during the retailers’ sales or after sales procedures.
Entries are required to demonstrate:
- Service support suitability and benefits for independent retailers in their whole business plan, ethos and progress
- Service support benefits within the whole retailing process, whether pre, post or after sales.