Do you know an established young retailer age 35 or younger? Does this person excel not only in their career, but also in their community involvement, industry education and extracurricular interests?
The North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) is accepting nominations for the 21st annual Young Retailer of the Year awards.
What is the Young Retailer of the Year awards program?
This national recognition program identifies and promotes the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement retailers. It recognizes individual achievement in the industry by retailers 35 years of age and younger throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Who can be nominated?
Any retailer who is 35 years of age or younger who is actively retailing in the U.S. or Canada can be nominated. Honorees are chosen based on criteria such as career accomplishments, community involvement, hardware industry education and extracurricular activities. Honorees are recognized in three categories: stores with annual sales under $2 million, stores with annual sales over $2 million and retailers operating multiple stores.
Why would a young retailer wish to be nominated?
Those selected will receive industrywide recognition, a trip for two to the NRHA All-Industry Conference at the National Hardware Show® in Las Vegas, a featured article in Hardware Retailing magazine, an opportunity to win a scholarship to NRHA’s Retail Management Certification Program and more.
“It means a lot to be recognized by the industry trade association, and it keeps me going,” says James Coté, 2014 Young Retailer of the Year honoree and owner of Osterville House & Garden. “I’ve put in a lot of work over the years. This award, whether you win or not, gives you something to aspire and work toward. I feel lucky to have won.”
“I was able to get my name out in the industry,” says Megan Menzer, 2005 Young Retailer of the Year honoree and owner of Newton’s True Value. “Different committees called me, and I even got the chance to shoot a national commercial for True Value. I really attribute all of this to winning the Young Retailer of the Year award.”
When is the nomination deadline?
NRHA is accepting nominations through Feb. 24, 2017.
How can one submit a nomination?
You can nominate a young retailer online here, or download a PDF guidelines and entry form. For more information, visit www.nrha.org/yroty.
Where will honorees be recognized?
The 2017 Young Retailer of the Year honorees will be recognized at the Young Retailer of the Year awards ceremony on Monday, May 8, prior to the NRHA All-Industry Conference and National Hardware Show® in Las Vegas.
For more information on NRHA’s Young Retailer of the Year awards program, visit www.nrha.org/yroty, or contact Kamille Stokes at kstoke@nrha.org or 317-275-9419.