TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Gift Association (CanGift) is thrilled to announce eight winners across three categories for the 2017 Retailer, Supplier and Sales Representative of the Year Awards.
Taking Retailer of the Year is The Room Collection in Vernon, British Columbia. Owners Karen and Alison met on the first day of Kindergarten and, years later, did what no BFFs should do – they went into business together. Their team now includes Mary-Ann (the talented former owner of the store), Heather and Kate. They are united by their passion for all things interior, and strive to create a retail environment that’s a pleasure to be in.
The first of two Retailer of Distinction Award winners is The Dragon, a comic and games store in Guelph, Ontario opened in 1998 by Jenn Haines. At the time Jenn was looking for a more welcoming and inclusive comic shop and decided to deliver the vision herself. In 2016, The Dragon opened a second location in the south end of the city. The stores carry new comics and graphic novels, board games and card games, t-shirts, toys, and other merchandise related to sci-fi and superhero properties.
The second winner, Red Thread Gift Shop is part of Alberta Health Services (AHS) Volunteer Resources Calgary Zone that owns and operates six volunteer-supported retail shops called The Red Thread Gift Shop Program. The stores have honed a reputation for carrying unique merchandise in a welcoming setting. The stores are beautifully merchandised, creating the perfect oasis for patients, families, visitors, and staff, in what is typically a stressful environment.
The Large Supplier of the Year goes to Attitudes Import, a giftware and home decoration distributor operating outside of Montreal, QC, carrying a wide selection of product from seasonal decorations to interior home decor items and accessories. Over the years Attitudes has broadened their product line and now creates their own exclusive products for customers by designing many of them in-house.
The recipient of Medium Supplier of the Year is Torre & Tagus. Founded in 1993 by Tim Kroetsch and Cesar Gomes, the company is built on the foundation of providing unique, quality products and premium customer service. Based in Richmond, BC, collections are updated twice a year with hundreds of new items from around the world that capture the latest trends and styles for the home. Products are showcased at tradeshows and in permanent showrooms in Richmond, Atlanta, and Las Vegas.
Recognized with the Small Supplier of the Year Award, Bee By The Sea Natural Products was founded by Andrew Wingrove in 2008. Andrew started the company after a chance encounter with a plant while working abroad as a consultant in Asia. The plant, Sea Buckthorn, is best known for its healing properties. By combining Sea Buckthorn and honey in a year-long research and development project, Andrew was able to create the now bestselling Sea Buckthorn and Honey Body Cream.
Corporate Sales Representative of the Year, Rita Singor is a Sales Rep for Giftcraft Ltd., servicing southwestern Ontario. Rita started her career in the floral industry, spending 20 years working in both the wholesale side of the business as well as managing retail operations. She became a Sales Representative in the giftware industry 12 years ago and truly enjoys bringing the product to her customers.
Independent Sales Rep of the Year, Glen Vandermolen, from Kanata, Ontario, was introduced to the retail industry 21 years ago after retiring as a firefighter. Glen continued his father’s work as a Sales Rep and to this day represents one of the same companies. He feels fortunate to work with two remarkable customer-orientated suppliers in Frans Koppers Imports and Gourmet du Village. The latter has been represented by Glen and his father for 31 years between them.
CanGift's Retailer, Supplier and Sales Representative of the Year Awards are based on criteria that are vital to retail success including visual merchandising and store design, business achievements, advertising and public relations and community involvement. The winners are officially awarded at the Salute to Excellence Awards Reception at the Spring 2018 Toronto Gift Fair hosted by Canadian designer Andrew Pike.
About the Canadian Gift Association
CanGift is a national not-for-profit association dedicated to improving competitive capabilities and business effectiveness by giving suppliers and retailers opportunities to interact in Canada's $10 billion giftware industry. CanGift owns and operates the Toronto and Alberta Gift Fairs. For more information or to preview new and creative product, please visit cangift.org.
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