Harts of Stur, the family-owned department store based in Sturminster Newton, has added four more awards to its trophy cabinet at the Housewares Awards 2023.
Organised in partnership with Housewares magazine, the awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of the housewares industry, applauding innovation, dedication, and excellence among manufacturers and retailers.
Harts impressed the judges with its robust online presence and also its excellent and diverse in-store offerings, such as the garden department and Harts Coffee Loft. The department store retained its title as Best Online Independent of the Year for the second year, receiving specific praise for its seamless e-commerce, fast page loading, the user-friendly navigation, mobile optimisation, and also for the clean website design.
It’s always a team award
It was Harts’ first time winning Independent Retailer of the Year, awarded for their expertise across the retail spectrum, including aspects like store design, product range, customer service, marketing, promotion, and innovation.
Additionally, Harts’ recent store redevelopment and display creativity earned them the joint Best Retail Display of the Year award (alongside Woodbridge Kitchen Company). Sam Belcher completed the award quartet by winning Best Salesperson of the Year – recognising his adaptability, product knowledge and sales skills.
Upon the announcement, David Conduit, purchasing director, said, ‘We are over the moon to receive these prestigious awards. Harts is and always has been a team effort, and these awards recognise the contribution all colleagues make to ensure we stay ahead. We never like to stand still – we’re already working on enhancements, both online and in-store, that will hopefully see us as award challengers again next year!’
Harts’ success doesn’t stop here – they are also finalists in the eCommerce awards, the results of which will be revealed in September.
