The National Bed Federation (NBF) has announced the first line-up of judges for the retailer categories for the 2022 Bed Industry Awards.
A panel of five of the biggest and brightest names in the furniture and creative industries will decide who will be crowned winners at the NBF Bed Show gala dinner and awards ceremony on Tuesday 20th September at the Telford International Centre.
The retailer awards shine a spotlight on UK and Irish bed retailers of all shapes and sizes that predominantly stock NBF approved brands to highlight their achievements from the past 12 months.
Helping to decide who wins the NBF Small and Large Retail Champion of the Year Awards and the Online Retailer of the Year and National Retailer of the Year Awards is Andrew Kidd, trade press editor of Interiors Monthly. Andrew co-founded in 2007 Interiors Monthly magazine, which aims to provide up to date information to inspire, inform and improve UK interiors retailing. A veteran judge of the NBF Bed Industry Awards, Andrew has shared his valued expertise and knowledge every year since its inception in 2010, when he presented a lifetime achievement award.
Joining Andrew from the world of publishing is Richard de Melim, owner and editor of The Furnishing Report, the independent industry news and business intelligence website and newsletter service. Richard brings a rich depth of knowledge to the panel, having reported on the furniture industry since 1999. He has written for over 100 publications, including dozens of feature-length business, property and home articles for several national newspapers.
Bernard Eaton, MD of Greenwood Retail, is the final judge for the first four retailer awards. With over 37 years of B2C experience across various sectors, Bernard has proven expertise in effective retail sales and marketing methodology. A regular trade magazine columnist and a seasoned judge on the NBF Award panel for five years running, Bernard is an asset to the process.
Independent marketing experts will judge the new Best Marketing Campaign award. Making his debut in the NBF judging process, Richard McMurrough – director of strategic and brand consultancy Propaganda – is a seasoned marketing professional with over 30 years’ experience in both consumer and B2B marketing. He has worked with a wide range of brands including Clipper Logistics, Seabrook Crisps and Woodlands Home & Garden Group.
Phil Bennett, MD of branding and design consultancy PIP Creative, joins Richard as a first-time judge, bringing a sharp eye and fresh perspective to the judging process. Phil has over 12 years of experience developing creative brands, strategies, and marketing campaigns for various sectors and clients, including SMEs and multiple campaigns for larger organisations across sports, retail, hospitality and media.
The final award is the new Outstanding Bed Store/Bed Department of the Year, which will be judged first by the NBF Marketing Committee. The committee will then produce a shortlist to be visited by a mystery shopping organisation to determine the winner. A shortlist of all the retailer awards will be published before the winners are announced on Tuesday 20th September.
