Gekko's Freeview team win at the IER Awards 2018

The very best from across the electrical retailing sector gathered yesterday to celebrate the success of the past twelve months at the 26th iteration of the IER Awards.

The refreshed format of the event saw the daytime event kick off with a products and services demonstration, giving guests a unique opportunity to network with key figures from retailers and suppliers ahead of the awards presentations.

Innovative Electrical Retailing magazine editor Gregor Muir took to the stage to get the afternoon’s proceedings underway. Commenting on the attributes of the businesses that prosper within the vibrant sector, Muir says: “The successful retailers and manufacturers are those who tap into passions, show off the latest incredible products and demonstrate how it will improve the hobbies and activities that consumers already love. When you’re talking about passions, price doesn’t seem so important.”

The awards ceremony commenced with the retailer categories, followed by lunch and entertainment from Arsenal legend and sports pundit Perry Groves.

The second half of the presentations honoured the outstanding products and services offered by manufacturers and suppliers, which saw Freeview’s Retail Development Executive (RDE) team pick up the Best Training Award in Consumer Electronics.

As well as serving as a platform for celebration, the IER Awards provides an opportunity for the industry to give something back through the annual charity collection which this year was carried out for retailTRUST. The charity is designed to improve the lives of all involved in retail and related industries in the UK, offering help and support financially, emotionally and vocationally in times of need and crisis. Guests at the event raised a generous amount for retailTRUST.

Special projects and events manager Linda Dorling says: “The 2018 edition of the IER Awards has been a huge success; there’s been an amazing reaction to the fresh new format and I’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that entered, voted, our amazing judges and all that attended – in particular our sponsors who help make the Awards possible.”

To view the full list of winners and find out more about the IER Awards, visit www.ierawards.co.uk.