Bira and Retra members have excelled at this year’s ERT Awards in London, which celebrate excellence from across the electrical retail sector, with several members taking home top accolades across several categories.
Matt Renaut, managing director of Dacombes of Wimborne (pictured below), led the charge, scooping both the prestigious Turning Point Award and the new award for Best Sustainable Independent Electrical Retailer. The Dorset-based retailer recently completed a major upgrade across the store, installing 100 solar panels, a Tesla battery and EV charging points to make the shop completely power self sufficient during working hours.
Wellingtons Electrical in Kent was awarded Best Large Independent Domestic Appliances Retailer, while RDO in Surrey claimed the title for Best Independent Electrical Retailer Shopfront, recognised for its service and presentation, with London-based Harris Electrical highly commended in the same category. RDO was also highly commended in the Best Independent Electrical Retailer Website category.
Crampton & Moore in Leeds was recognised as Best Large Independent Consumer Electronics Retailer, with Leicestershire-based store Stuart Westmoreland winning in the same category for small retailers and Dacombes of Wimborne receiving highly commended honours, adding to the store’s awards haul. Forbes Rentals in Surrey received recognition as a highly commended website, reflecting their commitment to quality online services.
In the Sales Excellence category, Bill Radford-Earle of Kent-based Martins of Hawkhurst received top honours for his sales development in recent years, with Stuart Avis of Avensys in Crawley also highly commended for the award.
Jeff Moody, Commercial Director of Bira, congratulated the members on an “outstanding” awards night. He said: “To see so many of our members across Bira and Retra recognised for their achievements at the ERT Awards shows just how strong our independent electrical retailers are and how important they are to high streets up and down the UK.”
Bira announced the incorporation of RETRA, the Radio, Electrical and Television Retailers' Association, into the Bira group in March this year, with both associations representing over 6000 trusted member companies across the UK.
Mr Moody added: “I’d like to say a huge well done to all our winning and commended members and we are confident that our partnership with Retra earlier this year will help these stores continue to be successful.”
Among suppliers, Electrolux Group’s Scott Thomson won Sales Representative of the Year, while Haier Smart Home UK & Ireland took the Best Supplier Customer Service award, demonstrating their dedication to retailer support. Sony was honoured as the Training Provider of the Year, awarded for the company’s role in retailer education.
Jack Cheeseman, Editor of ERT magazine, said: “Massive congratulations to all of this year’s winners! Independent retailers continue to show strength in community loyalty and adaptability, essential traits in today’s evolving market.”
The annual ERT Awards, which took place on October 24 at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, were hosted by actor and performer Shaun Williamson and featured a charity raffle prize draw, hosted by Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Vice Chair Charlotte Graham-Cumming.
