SGBAwards T


he Sporting Goods Business Awards, or SGB Awards, is designed by the industry, for the industry, to


recognise and reward excellence. Taking place across SGB magazine’s various print and digital platforms, the Awards offers entrants and winners all the credibility and prestige of the magazine’s 40-year history.


The competition was launched back in


August 2015, when members of the sports trade were invited to enter or nominate their their favourite sports brands, retailers and individuals of the past twelve months via the dedicated website, www.sgbawards.co.uk. The competition was then opened to the vote of the industry, which could vote for the nominees via a tried and secure online voting process – with the winners being those who attracted the most votes overall. Only members of the industry could take part; consumer nominations and votes were not counted. There was no judging panel


involved in the decision-making process, which means the winners have been determined purely on the value attributed to them by their industry peers. Over the last couple of years, the numbers of brands, retailers and individuals who have engaged with the entry and voting process of the Sports Trade Awards has been staggering – winning awards is as important as it ever was. The SGB Awards celebrates innovation in the sector. They reward companies that demonstrate excellence in their field, outstanding technology or exceptional customer service in the way they operate or in what they produce. The decision to replace the live-event


format of the Sports Trade Awards with the online-only Sporting Goods Business awards opened up opportunities for a wider cross section of the industry. SGB’s publishing director Paul Ryder commented: “By taking this highly popular awards scheme and re- packaging it as a ‘magazine’ event, participants


benefitted from all of the publicity, without having to factor an additional event into the budget or diary. The Sporting Goods Business Awards are a true reflection of excellence as judged by the industry.” Editor Bryony Andrews added: “The format of the SGB Awards gives the magazine’s readers an even bigger voice in the industry. The updated Awards has been designed to recognise and reward the achievements of both companies and individuals in the sports trade via an independent and credible process. The winners of the SGB Awards are selected wholly by the vote of the sports industry, so winners can enjoy a true indicator of value conferred by their peers in the trade. It is therefore with great excitement that SGB Magazine announces the winners of the Sporting Goods Business Awards 2016.” Publication manager Jill Williams said: “The standard of entries was high and a number of the categories were very close - congratulations to all the winners for 2016!”


The overall winners for the 2016 Sporting Goods Business Awards were as follows… Retail Awards


With the exception of ‘Best Online Retailer’, the SGB Retail Awards were open to UK based ‘bricks & mortar’ retail stores. In a challenging retail climate, these are the retailers that the industry believes are innovating and keeping up with customer demand in order to provide the best possible service. The 2016 winners are:


Best Independent Retailer Greaves Sports, Glasgow


Best Multiple Retailer Sports Direct


Best Online Retailer Amazon


Best Running/Fitness Retailer Sweaty Betty


Best Customer Service John Moore Sports, Bath


Best Shop Front Up and Running


Brand Awards


Entrants of the SGB Brand Awards must have relevant products available in the UK market that meet the industry standard for quality and safety. The winners will have demonstrated their dedication to product development, showing innovation, technology and attention to the latest consumer trends. The 2016 winners are:


Best Football Brand adidas


Best Cricket Brand Gunn & Moore


Best Hockey Brand Grays


Best Rugby Brand Canterbury


Best Running Brand Asics


Best Racket Sport Brand Head


Best Swimwear Brand Speedo


Best Darts Brand Unicorn


And the coveted Sports Brand of the Year goes to: Pure Lime


Individual Awards


Best Sales Representative/Agent This category was open to UK based sales representatives who work for manufacturers, wholesalers or distributors within the sporting goods industry. The best sales reps are skilled in cultivating new opportunities, building on existing relationships and increasing customer retention and satisfaction. The award for 2016 goes to: Mike Campion


Best PR Company This award category is aimed at PR companies with a proven track record of launching brands into the marketplace with outstanding results for the client. The 2016 winner is: Spin Drift


Congratulations to all winners and thank you to all who entered, nominated and voted in the Sporting Goods Business Awards 2016.


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