Queensgate retailers scoop two awards at Hammerson 'We Love Retail' awards

The award ceremony, which took place at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden on Wednesday (15 February), was developed to reward those retailers from the group’s 10 UK shopping centres who have delivered exemplary service to their customers. The event, hosted by broadcaster and presenter Jenni Falconer, saw more than 250 retail experts come together including managers from nominated stores and shopping centres managers.

Pipping others firmly to the post, Queensgate’s popular Schuh was declared winner of the ‘footwear’ category, while The Body Shop won the ‘health & beauty’ award. Also, on a group level, M&S took the much-coveted overall title of ‘best department store’. Other Queensgate retailers who were nominated on the night included Thorntons for ‘gifts and cards’, Next for ‘mixed fashion’ and Richardsons Bikes for ‘sports & outdoors’.

Sam Eastwood, centre director at Queensgate said: “Just to be nominated in an awards of this calibre is an accolade in itself, so to go on to win two is fantastic and a clear reflection of the excellent level of customer service our stores strive to deliver. We would like to pass on a massive congratulations to Schuh and The Body Shop, as well as M&S, in their more than well-deserved wins.”

David Atkins, Hammerson Chief Executive commented: “We work with the best retail, catering and leisure brands in the UK and there was tough competition for each award. The winners continually deliver first class customer service and are willing to make the in-store experience special for our shoppers. This plays a large part in the success of our centres and we are delighted to recognise the dedication of these teams.”

Hammerson owns the following shopping centres in the UK: Union Square, Aberdeen; Silverburn, Glasgow; Bullring, Birmingham; Highcross, Leicester; Queensgate, Peterborough; Brent Cross, north London; WestQuay, Southampton; The Oracle, Reading; Centrale, Croydon and Cabot Circus in Bristol.

Over 170 million shoppers visit Hammerson schemes in the UK each year and all the nominees underwent a gruelling mystery shop process to test the customer service within each store. The score from the mystery shop combined with the stores’ sales performance revealed the winners.