The event followed the 2014 PPA Retail Forum, and was attended by leading figures from publishing, retail and the magazine supply chain.
Sainsbury’s took two of the five awards on offer: it jointly claimed Best Sales or Marketing Initiative of the Year with Morrisons and employee Kim Abraham was given the Magazine Category Champion of the Year award.
Waitrose won the Multiple Magazine Retailer of the Year (up to 500 stores) and Marks & Spencer was named Multiple Magazine Retailer of the Year (over 500 stores).
Scott Partridge, a consultant for Rippleglen, was given the award for Outstanding Contribution to Magazine Retailing with the judges praising his "outstanding dedication to the magazine category” as well as his “passion, focus and expertise”.
The winner of the 2014 MagSell Award for Independent Magazine Retailer of the Year, Richard Merret of the Bath Road Post Office, Cheltenham, will receive his award at an in-store presentation later this month.
The judges said Mr Merret, was a "worthy winner" and a “role model” for other independent retailers.
The awards ceremony followed the PPA Retail Forum 2014. Following a welcome from PPA CEO Barry McIlheney, Martin Hoskins, Head of Newstrade, Immediate Media and Chair of the PPA’s Retail Marketing Group, gave an overview of division’s work for 2014.
Then followed sessions from Marketforce Retail Sales Director Katharine Challinor, Alun Williams Group Publishing Director, Hearst-Rodale and Beano Editor Mike Stirling.
Tom Fender of him! research presented findings from the latest PPA research study that looked into the opportunities in the magazine category to convert browsing shoppers into buyers.
The day concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Jim Bilton of Wessenden Marketing that featured speakers from the day as well as Frank Straetmans, Frontline Managing Director and Juliette Toft, Buying Manager, Media, Toys and Fashion, Waitrose.
The Winners:
BEST SALES OR MARKETING INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
JOINT WINNER: Morrisons’ In-Range Promotional Bay
JOINT WINNER: Sainsbury’s for IPC Southbank: A Strategic Brand Building Campaign
HIGHLY COMMENDED: WHSmith Travel, Reveal Till Point Conversation
MULTIPLE MAGAZINE RETAILER OF THE YEAR (UP TO 500 STORES)
WINNER: Waitrose
MULTIPLE MAGAZINE RETAILER OF THE YEAR (OVER 250 STORES)
WINNER: Marks & Spencer
MAGAZINE CATEGORY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Kim Abraham, Sainsbury’s
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MAGAZINE RETAILING
WINNER: Scott Partridge
