Domestic & General has announced the winners of the annual 2016 Retailer of the Year Awards, celebrating the UK’s best electrical retailers according to consumers.
In the UK’s biggest consumer survey of independent electrical retailers, over 250,000 customers are surveyed following a major electrical purchase such as a TV or washing machine. Now in its 17th year, the survey – sponsored and administered by leading appliance care provider Domestic & General – is designed to reward the very best customer service within the UK’s independent electrical retail channels.
In this year’s survey over 1,000 high street shops and online retailers were rated on key areas including store presentation, product information and customer service. Awards are presented to the retailers with the highest scores across three categories: independent, multi-site and online.
This year’s award winners are Gillmans with a single independent store in Gloucester, Stellisons with eight stores across Kent, Suffolk and Essex, and Hughes Electrical online.
Founded in Suffolk in 1921 by electrical engineer Frank Hughes, Hughes Electrical is now the fourth largest electrical retailer in the UK. Hughes Ecommerce Director Simon Cox said: “Hughes are delighted to receive the prestigious Online Retailer of the Year Award. It makes the hard work worthwhile when our customers vote for us.”
Domestic & General’s Retailer of the Year survey is split into ratings for high street and online retailers. The online category is marked on site appearance, ease of use, product information and efficiency of delivery. Introduced to the survey in 2006, the Online Retailer of the Year category highlights the importance of adapting to industry changes, while ensuring customer satisfaction remains at the core.
Kam Kandola, Sales Director at Domestic & General, presented the awards at a ceremony in Tower Bridge. He said: “Domestic & General is proud to recognise the hard work and commitment that is demonstrated by the winners of the Retailer of the Year Awards, especially during such challenging times with market forces dictating the way they operate.
“Domestic & General has supported retailers for many years, endeavouring to support them with post sale products that can add revenue and drive customer satisfaction. This will continue into the future as we move to a market where customers expect choice and flexibility from their protection plan.”