It is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of our 2022 Awards ceremony in line with our priority of safeguarding members, their families, sponsors, staff and guests. Read more here.
Put your shop centre stage – 2022 NFRN Awards are now open for entry!
Our prestigious 2022 NFRN Awards are now open for entry and we want to hear your business success story.
Once again, we are searching for members demonstrating excellence in today’s truly challenging environment and making a real difference to their communities, to the industry and to the NFRN.
Through our annual NFRN Awards we seek to recognise and reward the very best in independent retailing, showcasing their success to the whole industry.
This year there are 10 retail categories to enter and we want to hear from members – both big and small – who are delivering excellent service, range and value to their customers, creating successful and profitable operations as a result.
This year, besides honouring retailers demonstrating excellence in convenience and news retailing, we will be searching for those who stand out for their customer service, use of technology, sustainability and in their food to go offering.
We will also be crowning the overall Shop Local Shop Little Hero, from the three winners who will be revealed during a special awards luncheon in September.
Opening the 2022 NFRN Awards for entries, National President Stuart Reddish said: “As the biggest and best event in the independent retailing calendar, the NFRN Awards are the ones to win.
“Winning these prestigious awards give shops significant business benefits, including an enhanced reputation among their customers and supplying partners, employee recognition and retention and significant coverage in the local media.
“As well as giving the Federation an opportunity to reward hard work, dedication and innovation, the NFRN Awards gives us a key moment to say a big thank you to members for their much-valued support.
“Every year, after the awards have taken place, members tell me that they wish they had entered. I would, therefore, urge all members to start thinking about their applications now so you don’t have any regrets later.”
Member Award Categories:
- Responsible Retailer of the Year
- Customer Service Retailer of the Year
- Best Use of Technology
- Food to Go Retailer of the Year
- Sustainable Retailer of the Year
- Independent Convenience Retailer of the Year
- Symbol Convenience Retailer of the Year
- Store2Door Deliverer of the Year
- Newsagent of the Year
- Community Champion
Enter Today!
Entering the Awards is free and there is no limit to the number of categories you can enter.
Please enter using the form below. The deadline is 5pm on Tuesday November 30th.
Become an NFRN Award winner
We hope that as many of you will enter our 2022 Awards as possible so to assist we have drawn up some handy tips to help you wow the judges.
Preparation is key
Give yourself plenty of time to put together a really solid entry. Awards deadlines have a habit of creeping up so don’t leave it too late and rush, or you risk forgetting some key information and not doing your entry justice.
Read the criteria thoroughly
Then go back and reread. It’s sounds obvious but it is all too easy to be side tracked. Make sure your answers address the points mentioned.
Get Your Staff Involved
Brainstorm achievements and ask them to help collect evidence and customer testimonials.
Be clear
Your submission should be factual and easy to read. Avoid veering off into a different direction. Explain exactly what you did to help your customers or communities, how you did it, why, and what the outcome was.
Back it up!
Provide relevant facts and figures such as details of sales increases and improved customer satisfaction. Winning entries always provide proof of the claim they are making. Letters of thanks from customers or articles about you from your local press are very effective.
Don’t forget photographs
It’s not a photography competition but you need to provide images that are relevant and back up your responses. The judges will want to see both the inside and outside of your shop.
Reread your submission
Double check the way it sounds. Ensure you have answered every question. It may be beneficial to take a break before going back to proof read – this makes it easier to identify mistakes.
Get a second opinion
Have someone check over the entry, such as a family member, employee or friend. They may spot important points that are missing and confirm that your entry is easy to understand.
You are now ready to submit your application. The deadline is 5pm on November 30, 2021. Good luck!
Glittering ceremony
For the fourth year in a row, the NFRN Awards are returning to London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel – one of the capital’s most prestigious venues – for the awards ceremony which is taking place on January 25 2022.
All finalists will be invited to attend this ceremony, which brings together hundreds of leading lights from the worlds of retailing, publishing and wholesaling to recognise and reward the very best in our industry.