Nominations Still Being Taken for HFA's Association’s Retailer of the Year Awards
Furniture World News Desk on
9/27/2019
Her store offers delightful shopping experiences. His store hosts community events after hours. Her business sponsors fundraisers for charities – and always makes the first donations. He’s cut energy usage in half and carries products from responsible sources. She gives advice to young professionals – even competitors! He engages and satisfies customers and treats employees like family.
They are the Home Furnishings Association’s Retailer of the Year, Rising Star and Trailblazer award-winners for 2019. They just haven’t been selected yet.
The annual recognition honors some of the best people in the retail furniture industry – those who do well by doing good. Nominations are open until October 4 in four categories:
- 2019 HFA Large Retailer of the Year
- 2019 HFA Small Retailer of the Year
- 2019 HFA Emerging Star
- 2019 HFA Trailblazer
The Large Retailer category applies to businesses with 50 or more employees. The Small Retailer award covers businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Both winners will be HFA members in good standing who set high standards for philanthropy, technology, customer experience, mentoring, sustainability and store culture.
The Emerging Star will be an HFA member 40 or younger (born after January 1, 1979) with three to five years in the furniture retail business. The Trailblazer will be an HFA member who’s been in the business for 20 years or more. Both will display excellence in one of more of these areas: philanthropy, technology, customer experience, mentoring, sustainability or store culture.
Nominations must be submitted online at myhfa.org/roty by October 4. Nominees will be notified and asked to submit information to support the nomination. A panel of judges comprised of industry leaders and media, retired professionals and past honorees will select winners, who will be announced in December. Their awards will be presented at their stores during the week of January 6-10, 2020, and they will be recognized at a cocktail party at the Las Vegas Market January 25, 2020.
“These awards honor the finest businessmen and women in our country, and they let us celebrate one of our greatest industries,” said Sharron Bradley, CEO of the Home Furnishings Association. “So many deserve to be selected, and we encourage everyone in the industry – not just HFA members -- to submit a nomination.”
The Home Furnishings Association is the largest trade group for furniture retail stores in North America. It operates Resource Centers during furniture markets in High Point (first floor of Plaza Suites) and Las Vegas (B 1050).
About the Home Furnishings Association: The Home Furnishings Association (HFA), with roots dating back to 1920, is North America’s only trade association devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers, with more than 1,400 members representing more than 7,000 storefronts across all 50 states and several countries. Association offices in the East, West, and Central United States provide members with programs, resources, services, and a unified voice in government relations by partnering with home furnishings industry suppliers, vendors, affiliates, and other organizations. For more information on the HFA visit www.myhfa.org.