Please note there are two sections to this form, on completion, you will be redirected to add and upload supporting media and documents.
Why Enter?
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Boost Your Business’s Credibility
Winning or being shortlisted enhances your reputation, showcasing your business as a leader in quality, innovation, and excellence within the furniture industry. -
Unmatched Industry Exposure
With over 350 influential attendees – including top retailers, manufacturers, brands, service providers, media, and press – your business will be seen by key decision-makers and potential partners. -
Celebrate Your Team’s Hard Work
Shine a spotlight on your employees' achievements and give them the recognition they deserve in a glamorous, high-profile setting. -
Stand Out from the Competition
In a crowded marketplace, an award can set you apart, giving customers and clients a reason to choose your products or services over others. -
Network with Industry Leaders
The event is a unique opportunity to connect with peers, form strategic alliances, and stay ahead of the game – all while celebrating in style.
Category Criteria
Best Furniture Start-Up
This award celebrates an emerging furniture business that’s making a strong early impression. Open to start-ups launched within the past three years, this category recognises bold ideas, smart execution, and clear potential for growth. Whether it’s through innovative products, standout branding, or a fresh approach to customer experience, the winner will be a business that’s already turning heads and showing what the future of furniture could look like.
This category is open to any furniture retailers, brands (wholesale and/or direct to consumer), manufacturers, and service providers.
Qualifying period
Incorporated as a business between 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which nominations will be judged:
- When was your business founded, and what inspired its launch?
- What makes you stand out in the furniture market?
- What have been your biggest achievements so far?
- How have you approached growth – through design, marketing, customer experience or innovation?
- What are your goals for the future, and how are you planning to scale your impact?
Best Marketing Campaign
This award recognises a standout marketing campaign that has delivered strong results through creativity, strategy, and a clear understanding of the furniture market. Whether it promoted a product launch, brand refresh, seasonal promotion or event, the winning campaign will demonstrate originality, effective execution, and measurable impact.
The campaign can be across any channel: TV, billboard, magazine/newspaper, poster, radio, web, social media, instore or a combination of thereof.
This category is open to furniture retailers, brands (wholesale and/or direct to consumer), manufacturers, and service providers.
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which you will be judged:
- What were the core aims and objectives of your campaign?
- How did the campaign reflect your brand and speak to your target customers?
- What channels and tactics did you use to bring the campaign to life?
- What results did the campaign achieve (e.g. engagement, sales, brand awareness)?
- What made this campaign stand out – was there something new, bold, or particularly effective about your approach?
Best of British
As demand for British-made furniture continues to grow, this award celebrates companies that champion UK design and manufacturing. Open to businesses that principally produce in the UK, this category recognises outstanding craftsmanship, quality of output, and a strong commitment to supporting the local economy and wider British furniture industry. Whether through traditional techniques or modern innovation, the winner will embody the very best of homegrown excellence.
This category is open to British furniture manufacturers, suppliers, and brands (wholesale and/or direct to consumer).
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which you will be judged:
- Do you principally manufacture your products in the UK? Please outline your UK operations.
- How do you demonstrate high standards in craftsmanship, materials, and build quality?
- What makes your British-made products stand out in today’s market?
- In what ways does your business support the local economy, workforce, or supply chain?
- How do you contribute to the wider British furniture industry (e.g. collaboration, sustainability, training, innovation)?
- How has your focus on British craftmanship delivered tangible financial gains?
Design Innovation
Whether you’re redefining the boundaries of creativity or perfecting timeless style, this award is dedicated to rewarding an outstanding ethos of design in the furniture industry. It’s open to businesses that place original design at the core of their strategy – blending form, function, and innovation. Entries should showcase not only the visual impact of the designs but also the thinking behind them and how they’ve been brought to market successfully.
This category is open to furniture manufacturers, suppliers, and brands (wholesale and/or direct to consumer).
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which you will be judged:
- How does original design sit at the heart of your business strategy?
- What makes your product design stand out – in terms of style, function, or innovation?
- Please describe the development process behind your design(s). What inspired or informed your approach?
- How do you bring your designs to market – from prototyping to production and sales?
- Please include visual evidence of the design(s) you are entering, along with any customer or market feedback received.
- Please provide any evidence of how design within your business has delivered tangible financial gains?
Global Player
In a challenging global landscape, importing furniture remains a complex and demanding task. This award recognises businesses that excel in managing international supply chains while consistently delivering high-quality, well-priced products tailored to the UK marketplace. Open to companies that major in imports, this category celebrates excellence in product development, pricing strategy, logistics, and market adaptation.
This category is open to international furniture manufacturers, suppliers, and brands (wholesale and/or direct to consumer).
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which you will be judged:
- What percentage of your business is focused on imported furniture, and from which regions do you primarily source?
- How do you approach product development with international suppliers to meet UK customer expectations?
- How do you maintain competitive and stable pricing despite global supply chain challenges?
- What measures do you take to ensure reliable and efficient fulfilment to your UK customers?
- How is your imported offer specifically tailored to the needs and trends of the UK furniture market?
- How has your focus on international development delivered tangible financial results?
Independent Retailer of the Year
Celebrating the best in independent furniture retail, this award honours a business that shows creativity, resilience, and a deep connection to its local customer base. From standout service and unique product selection to smart use of space and marketing, this category highlights the power of independents to shape the future of furniture retail.
This category is open to furniture retailers that have up to 6 stores in the UK and Ireland.
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which you will be judged:
- Tell us about your independent retail business – your size, location, and product focus.
- How do you connect with and serve your local community or customer base?
- What makes your store’s product offer, layout, or service experience unique?
- How have you innovated or overcome challenges as an independent?
- What are your proudest achievements from the qualifying period?
Retailer of the Year
This award recognises an outstanding furniture retail business that has delivered excellence across the board – from product offering and customer experience to marketing, service, and commercial success. This category celebrates the businesses that have shown resilience, innovation, and a clear understanding of today’s furniture buyer.
This category is open to furniture retailers that have more than 7 stores.
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which you will be judged:
- What makes your business stand out as a leading furniture retailer?
- How have you adapted to changes in the market or customer behaviour over the qualifying period?
- How do you deliver value, service, and experience to your customers?
- What commercial or strategic successes have you achieved recently?
- How are you investing in the future of your retail business?
Superior Service
In a fast-moving industry, exceptional service is more vital than ever. This award recognises businesses that are setting new standards in service delivery – whether through innovative technology, streamlined logistics, outstanding customer support, or smart solutions that drive efficiency. Open to service providers across the furniture industry – including software developers, CGI specialists, sales support teams, and logistics experts – as well as suppliers delivering standout service, this category celebrates those making a real difference behind the scenes.
This category is open to service providers that support the furniture industry.
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which you will be judged:
- What service do you provide to the furniture industry, and who are your typical clients or partners?
- What challenges in the industry does your service address, and how have you responded to them?
- How does your service offer innovative or uniquely effective compared to others in the market?
- Can you share specific examples or case studies that demonstrate your service impact?
- How has your service improved efficiency, customer satisfaction, or business outcomes for your clients?
- How has your focus on service delivered tangible financial results?
Sustainability
With environmental and ethical practices now central to the future of furniture, this award recognises businesses leading the way in sustainability. Whether through responsible sourcing, eco-conscious manufacturing, waste reduction, or community impact, this category is open to any company actively working to minimise its environmental footprint and drive positive change. It celebrates those who are not only talking about sustainability – but putting it into action.
This category is open to any furniture retailers, brands (wholesale and/or direct to consumer), manufacturers, and service providers.
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which you will be judged:
- What sustainable practices are built into your materials, manufacturing, or operations?
- How do you minimise waste, reduce emissions, or improve energy efficiency?
- Are your products designed with longevity, repairability, or recyclability in mind?
- What ethical considerations guide your sourcing, labour practices, or community impact?
- How do you measure the success of your sustainability efforts, and what progress have you made?
Woman in Furniture Award
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This award celebrates the achievements of a woman making a meaningful impact within the furniture industry – whether through leadership, creativity, innovation, or mentorship. Open to individuals at any level, this category recognises outstanding contribution, professional excellence, and a commitment to driving positive change in the sector.
This category is open to any woman self-employed, working for a retailer, manufacturer, brand (wholesale and/or direct to consumer), and service provider, within the furniture industry.
Qualifying period
1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Criteria against which nominations will be judged:
- Please describe their role and their key contributions to the furniture industry.
- What is their biggest achievement or milestone in the qualifying period?
- How have they shown leadership, innovation, or influence within the business or within the furniture industry?
- In what ways have they helped to support or inspire others in the industry?
- What do they hope to accomplish next?
Entry Process FAQs
How do I enter the awards?
Entries must be submitted via the official awards entry portal here. Simply choose your category, complete the online entry form, and upload any supporting documentation or images.
Who can I contact for help with my entry?
If you have questions or need support, contact the awards team via enquiries@thefurnitureshows.com
