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HIGH POINT — We’re looking for a few good retailers — really exceptional retailers. The Home Furnishings Association is accepting nominations for its 2022 Retailer of the Year, Trailblazer, Emerging Star, and Partner of the Year awards.
The annual recognitions honor the best and brightest furniture retailers in the industry and are a much-anticipated highlight for all HFA members.
No one is more excited about the call for nominations than HFA CEO Mark Schumacher. “No question, this has been a tough year for all our members,” said Schumacher. “But every week, I’ve seen those challenges bring out the best in our members. I’m excited to see the innovations that came from adversity this year.”
The HFA honors two retailers – large and small – with its Retailer of the Year awards. 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 award will recognize an HFA member 40 or younger (born on or after January 1, 1982) with three to five years in the retail furniture business. The Trailblazer award recognizes an HFA member who’s been in the industry for at least 20 years. Both retailers will display excellence in one or more of these areas: philanthropy, technology, customer experience, mentoring, sustainability, and store culture.
“Our members and the businesses they run have found new ways to connect with their employees and communities this year,” Schumacher said. “Now it’s our turn to celebrate and recognize them for everything they’ve done.”
HFA member Interiors Home, based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, won last year’s Retailer of the Year in the large business category. Owner Todd Lehman said, “This was a great honor for our team in a pandemic year; they really persevered and rose to the challenge. So winning this award is a testament to what a great team we have, and so proud they have been honored for their hard work. This award has brought us even closer together as a team.”
Perlora Furniture and Design was HFA’s Small Retailer of the Year in 2020. Dave Koehler, Chairman of Johnny Janosik, based in Laurel, DE, won the Trailblazer Award, and Sydney Harris, sales trainer at FurnitureLand South in Jamestown, NC received the Emerging Star award.
Last year, HFA introduced a new award category, HFA Partner of the Year. This award acknowledges and honors an HFA Vendor Partner that best supports HFA members through exceptional services that impact our member’s business and consistently support the home furnishings trade organization, HFA. Last year’s winner was Synchrony.
Nominations are open through November 30, 2021. Visit myhfa.org/roty to nominate a deserving retail business, professional, or your favorite partner. Nominees will be notified and asked to complete an application in December 2021. A panel of judges comprised of retail industry leaders, HFA partners, and past honorees will select the winners.
Then the fun begins. In February, the HFA will announce the Retailers, Trailblazer, Emerging Star, and Partner of the Year at the Annual HFA Member Meeting and then in-store celebrations and recognition throughout 2022.
We can’t wait. But it starts with your nominations. Get them in today. Visit www.myhfa.org/roty!
