The Creative Retail Awards and Save The High Street partner

Posted by Rachel Westall on 16 August 2022

The Creative Retail Awards and Save The High Street (SaveTheHighStreet.org) have formed a partnership to promote the importance of design and display in independent retail, with Save The High Street becoming sponsor of the Best Independent Store category at the 2022 Creative Retail Awards. The Creative Retail Awards is a dynamic and exciting annual event that recognises and rewards innovation and excellence in retail, leisure, and hospitality design, display and experience. The Awards span a number of disciplines including store design, surfaces, omni-channel, technology, sustainability, lighting, and more.

Save The High Street logo Save The High Street is an industry movement to ensure successful high streets now and for the long term by supporting over 25,000 local businesses. John Abbate, the retail design and visual merchandising expert on the Save The High Street Advisory Board, is a staunch believer that effective design and display can provide a real competitive advantage to independent retailers: "Independents are the heartbeat of our high streets. They offer the local community and beyond a unique and personal shopping or service experience. Their ability to provide a more 'personal touch', together with the individual look and feel of their physical space, adds character and diversity to our high streets. The freedom of the independent to express their personality in creative ways provides an advantage over national chains, which can often lack variety and feel impersonal.

Many large brands often try to emulate the spirit of an independent shop, but no one can do it as authentically as the real thing. And that's what we need more of in the retail design and display world, the real thing. To be inspired, creative and quirky - making retail fun. To offer a personal experience and become a 'destination' - even on a small budget. SaveTheHighStreet.org are proud to be associated with this Award."

The Creative Retail Awards logo Antony Behiels, Director of SDEA and co-organiser of the Creative Retail Awards continues: "With ever more competition to attract consumers to the high street, effective VM, design and display is imperative. When it is done correctly it will engage and attract more customers, help increase sales and give customers a reason to return in the future. This is especially important for independent stores who often lack the budget for large scale marketing campaigns."

The Save The High Street team will provide the winner of the 'Best Independent Store Award' with access to their business support platform JO, and an exclusive mentoring session with one of their high street experts.

Join over 500 of the industry's elite at the 2022 Creative Retail Awards on the 22nd September at Proud Embankment in London's West End. The night will offer plenty of networking opportunities to meet with retailers, suppliers, and designers. Enjoy a drinks reception, live music, entertainment, DJ, and more. Tickets for the event are available to reserve at www.creativeretailawards.com

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