Finalists announced in UK Watch Awards retail categories
The hugely anticipated finalists for the retail categories at the UK Watch Awards have been revealed.
Over the past few weeks, literally hundreds of nominations have been received from a broad range of jewellers and businesses.
The exercise has served to highlight just how spoilt the UK and Ireland are to have so many world-class retail jewellers. From London to Liverpool and Bournemouth to Belfast, we are home to truly magnificent watch stores, and the UK Watch Awards is the grand occasion where these retailers will get the recognition they deserve.
The six categories being announced today are:
- Independent Retailer of the Year (average selling price below £1,000)
- Independent Retailer of the Year (average selling price £1,000–£4,000)
- Independent Retailer of the Year (average selling price above £4,000) — sponsored by TH March
- Multiple Retailer of the Year — sponsored by HERBELIN
- Pre-owned Watch Business of the Year
- Best New or Refurbished Store
As explained yesterday, the methodology behind the process of getting down to a relatively small number of finalists for each category is nuanced. It’s not just based on the number of nominations, although this is considered. Financial performance, anecdotal evidence, and level of improvement from the year before are all taken into account.
The list of finalists for these six retail categories are in full below:
Independent Retailer of the Year (average selling price below £1,000)
- Allum & Sidaway
- C S Bedford
- David Christopher Jewellers
- First Class Watches
- Judith Hart Jewellers
- TB Mitchell Jewellers
- Toulson Jones Jewellers
- WATCHO Jewellers
- Whibleys the Jewellers
Independent Retailer of the Year (average selling price £1,000–£4,000)
- Baker Brothers
- Banks Lyon
- Chisholm Hunter
- Dipples Jewellers
- Francis & Gaye Jewellers
- Hugh Rice
- James Porter & Son
- Michael Jones Jeweller
- Robert Gatward
- Tustains
Independent Retailer of the Year (average selling price above £4,000) — sponsored by TH March
- Berry’s
- David M Robinson
- Laings
- Lister Horsfall
- Mallory
- Michael Spiers
- Pragnell
- Prestons
- Swiss Gallery
- Wakefields
Multiple Retailer of the Year — sponsored by HERBELIN
- Beaverbrooks
- Ernest Jones
- F. Hinds
- Fraser Hart
- Goldsmiths
- H. Samuel
- Mappin & Webb
- T.H. Baker
- Watches of Switzerland
Pre-owned Watch Business of the Year
- Bonhams
- Chrono24
- Chrono Hunter
- David Duggan
- eBay
- Fellows
- John Pye & Son
- Phillips
- Sotheby’s
- Watchfinder
Best New or Refurbished Store
- AP House, Mayfair
- Chisholm Hunter, Westfield London
- Dipples in Jarrolds
- Ernest Jones, Oxford Street
- Ernest Jones/H. Samuel, Silverburn Shopping Centre
- F. Hinds, Lakeside Shopping Centre
- Fears, Bristol
- Goldsmiths, Harlequin Watford
- Johnsons Jewellers, Nuneaton
- Loupe, Sheffield
In the coming weeks, these finalists will be voted on by the industry itself. It’s a unique and democratic process that involves brands voting anonymously for retailers and vice versa.
The winners will then be announced at the UK Watch Awards gala dinner on 20 October at Goldsmiths’ Hall.
Click HERE to secure your tickets for the biggest event in the UK watch industry’s calendar.
