Posted by Louise Prance-Miles on 9 September 2020
This year saw the introduction of new regional Retailer Awards and a Rising Star Award to run alongside the Product Awards, and over 350 entries were received.The awards were judged by a host of industry experts including senior stationery buyers from WH Smith, John Lewis & Partners and the National Trust to name just a few.
Award sponsors Craft Business and The Giftware Association, as well as leading suppliers, were also invited to judge.
Product award winners
The Product Awards were open to all manufacturers and suppliers and as always attracted a large number of entries. The winners are a perfect mix of new products from established, well-loved brands such as the Clipbook Creative Kit from Filofax, and exciting newcomers including Belgian designer, Lily Samii, with her beautiful journal, The Gratitude List®.
Retail award winners
New regional retailer categories were added for 2020 in a move to make the awards more accessible and encourage entries from across the country. This led to the very first winners from the north and the midlands, Stationery Supplies in Marple and Artcadia in Shrewsbury.
Rising Star award winner
A new Rising Star Award was introduced to the Stationery Awards 2020 to recognise someone for their work in the stationery industry. The award is for an individual who demonstrates their passion for their business and products, as well as showing creativity, innovation and commitment to their role.
The winner, Marc Sach, received high praise from all the judges for his dedication and hard work in single-handedly making his brand Fuzzballs, which started life as a web comic in 2013, a success.
The judges said of Marc, "Dedication, determination and hard work have paid off for Marc and his brand is obviously loved by many! A worthy winner - well done! Great branding, great story and great products. Really tough market to break into and stand out, and he is on course to do this."
All the winning entries can be viewed on the Stationery Awards website: www.stationeryawards.co.uk/winners
