The Women in Independent Retail Awards, set to take place in London on 8 December, have been launched to recognise women across the independent retail sector and give greater visibility to their contribution.
The new awards aim to highlight the achievements of women who run stores, lead teams, build businesses and support communities throughout the wider convenience sector, much of which often passes under the radar.
Expert judging panel
The awards are judged by a panel of leading figures from within and around the industry, including Louise Hoste, freelance advisor and former managing director of Spar UK. Hoste said recognition matters because so much of the work in independent retail happens away from the spotlight.
“Having spent much of my career in retail, I’ve seen first-hand the talent, determination and sheer hard work that goes into running your own successful business,” she said. “Women make a huge contribution to independent retail, often while juggling many different responsibilities. It’s important that we take the time to recognise that contribution, celebrate success and make sure the women behind these businesses get the recognition they deserve.”
Addressing a lack of visibility
Sarah Johnson, former head of retailer engagement at the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), argued that women have historically not always been the most visible faces of the industry. “Women have always been the backbone, the unsung heroes of the convenience industry, but it has until recently been the men who have been front and centre, attending events, entering and winning awards and being recognised for their achievements,” she said. “It is time to shine the light on to the women.”
That lack of visibility is a recurring theme among the judges. Independent retail is full of people who simply get on with the job, often without thinking what they do is particularly remarkable. For women in the sector, that reluctance to put themselves forward can mean significant achievements receive little wider recognition.
Hoste said: “Independent retail is full of fantastic people doing brilliant things, often quietly without much fuss. These awards give us the opportunity to celebrate their achievements, share their stories and show others what is possible.”
Changing attitudes
Eimear Andersen, owner of Tansor PR, made a similar point. “Recognition shouldn’t be reserved for the people who are best at putting themselves forward,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the people who least expect an award who deserve it most.”
Johnson said attitudes are starting to change. “In my experience, many women have been uncomfortable having the spotlight on them. But this is changing and many women retailers are now realising how special they are. They are seeing how having a larger profile gives you additional opportunities and widens their network.”
Recognition is not only about rewarding past achievement. Another important role for the awards is to create visible role models for women already working in the industry and for those who may be considering a future in it. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen how important it is to have people you can learn from and look up to,” said Hoste. “Role models help you see what is possible, but they can also be people who are willing to share their experiences honestly, including the things that haven’t gone quite to plan. In independent retail, there are so many inspiring women building businesses, leading teams and supporting their communities. We should be telling those stories more often.”
Leadership and networking
Johnson agreed that role models offer more than something to aspire to. “Role models are vital to everyone, not just in this industry. Having someone who not just inspires you, but supports you, shows you can overcome issues that arise and gives you confidence,” she said. “For women retailers, having other women who understand the situation they are in and who they can relate to is vital.”
Journalist and communications specialist Lisa Moore put the argument more simply: “Young girls and women can’t be what they’ve never seen,” she said. The hope is that telling more of those stories can encourage women not only to enter awards, but to speak on panels, take on leadership roles, expand their businesses or pursue opportunities they might otherwise have overlooked.
The awards are also about bringing people together. For independent retailers, running a business can be isolating. Many face the same challenges but may rarely get the opportunity to compare notes with others in a similar position. “I’ve always believed that some of the most valuable things in business come from talking to people, sharing experiences and being open to different ideas,” said Hoste. “Running a business can be challenging and often lonely, and it helps to meet people who understand those challenges and can offer a different perspective. You never know where a conversation might lead, and sometimes simply hearing how someone else has dealt with a similar situation can be hugely valuable.”
Johnson, who set up the Women’s Independent Retailer Network while at the ACS, sees networking as an invaluable part of business life. “Having a good network ensures not only that you are first to hear about new products and services and changes in legislation, but most importantly that you have a support structure,” she said. Her experience of bringing female retailers together also helps explain why she wanted to be involved in the awards. “Setting up the Women’s Independent Retailer Network at ACS was one of my proudest achievements,” she said. “Getting to know so many amazing women, who do so much more than just run successful shops – they have families, support their communities and each other – has been a privilege.”
Continued need for recognition
Given the progress women have made across business and retail, is an awards programme specifically recognising women still necessary? For Hoste, the answer is yes. “We’ve made progress, and there are many successful women in retail, but we shouldn’t assume that means there is no longer a need to recognise their achievements,” she said. “Visibility matters, and so does having the opportunity to learn from and support one another. For me, these awards are not about special treatment; they’re about celebrating talent, recognising success and making sure the next generation can see the job opportunities that are there for them.”
Johnson also believes there is further to go. “There are still examples of women not being recognised as the business owner, and until that changes events like this are still needed,” she said.
That makes the awards about more than trophies on 8 December. They provide a chance for the industry to stop, recognise work that can too easily be overlooked and give some of the women helping shape independent retail a more prominent voice. As Andersen put it: “The real value of these awards isn’t just in recognising what women have already achieved. It’s in showing the next generation what’s possible.”
Tom Hargreaves, director of TH Publishing Services, said: “It’s important that the many fantastic female retailers out there get some recognition and that we hopefully inspire more women into a career in independent convenience retailing. Having successful role models to aspire to can help inspire and motivate more young women to consider it as a potential career path.”
Vicki Baker, head of client experience at Cirkle, said: “The Women in Independent Retail Awards give women a platform to celebrate what they’ve achieved, but just as importantly they create greater visibility for those achievements across the industry. That helps create role models for other women coming through and hopefully gives more people the confidence to put themselves forward for opportunities.”
Sean Hubbard, consultant at Hanover Communications, said: “Independent retailers are at the heart of their communities, and there are so many brilliant women across the sector doing fantastic things, often without getting the recognition they deserve. These awards provide an opportunity to recognise that hard work, shine a spotlight on some fantastic individuals and hopefully inspire others across the sector.”
