Oracle Retail Week Awards: Celebrating UK retail

Last night was my favourite ‘work’ night of the year – the Oracle Retail Week Awards.

For some reason my colleagues have become increasingly agitated about the prospect of reading my articles. Apparently I have been known to have strong views (don’t mention Mary Portas to me).

Anyway, for today they can relax as, in the spirit of the Oracle Retail Week Awards, it is all about showcasing some retailers who despite the challenging conditions are doing their best to make a difference. 

Having just had an extension built I have had to fit it out, which has meant that I have been keeping the tills of the UK’s shopkeepers ringing. I love shopping and it has been a delight looking around at the various goods available. 

Often this will involve comparing competing companies: Dixons Retail versus Comet, Sharps Offices versus Neville Johnson, etc. As is often the case, price is not the determining factor as they are similar, and neither is quality as the guarantees are similar.

What it comes down to is the attitude and aptitude of the employees, the service, and availability. And so for the inaugural Barracuda Search Awards for best suppliers to fitting out an extension, take a bow Matt the store manager of Currys/PC World Guildford, who led me through the maze of buying all the electronic equipment and then getting it delivered on time. 

To Kirk and his fitting team at Knowhow for incredible customer service in installing all the equipment; Sharps for their sales process, customer service, and for fitting my home office impeccably and Ekornes UK for delivering my Stressless recliners 10 weeks in advance of what other furniture retailers could promise for a comparable product.

Although you all may never win an official Oracle Retail Week Award you are all stars and make me proud to work in UK retailing.