WOMENSWEAR INDEPENDENT OF THE YEAR

This award is open to independent multi-brand womenswear retailers in the UK and Ireland.

Judges will be looking for a strong edit of key womenswear brands appropriate to the target customer, high standards of service, signs of resilience and agility during the pandemic, an in-store environment (and online offer, if applicable) that complements the brands on offer, a strong business plan and buying strategy that ensures the business remains at the top of its game, and evidence of financial success.

The business can either sell only womenswear or a mix of womenswear and other categories but should be able to demonstrate that womenswear makes up considerably more than half of sales.

Criteria against which you will be judged:

• How has the business reacted to the pandemic and its impact?
• Do you offer a brand mix appropriate to your customer?
• Is the shop environment and website (if there is one) appropriate to this market?
• Does your business have a strong business plan and potential for future growth?
• Does it stand out from the competition?