Stax Trade Centres were presented with the British Independent Retail Association (bira direct) Best Marketing and Supplier of the Year Awards at the recent bira High Street Conference, held at the impressive Chateau Impney Hotel, Worcestershire.

The awards recognise and reward excellence within the independent retail sector and are split in to the following categories, Independent Retailer of the Year, Retail Team of the Year, Employee of the Year, Best Marketing all chosen by a judging panel and Supplier of the Year for 2015 which is voted for by bira members.

Voting forms were dispatched with the association’s publication, Hardware Today and mailed out to members for the Supplier and Marketing Awards with voters unanimous in selecting Stax Trade Centres worthy winners. Success in the Supplier of the Year Category follows on from the wholesaler also being named as British Hardware Federation Supplier of 2015 at February’s Totally Tools Show.

Although only joining bira direct two years ago, the wholesaler’s business with members has grown and grown with bira direct Buying Director Steve Akers commenting, “Stax Trade Centre’s wholesale depots and cash & carry warehouses offer genuine trade wholesale support for independent retailers and trade professions across the UK. They also offer a delivery service to retailers ensuring their diverse range of DIY, Garden, Hardware, Tools, Work Wear, Electricals, Plumbing, Kitchens, Bathrooms & Housewares products can be dispatched within 24 hours not to mention the polite service from their delivery drivers.”

Stax Operations Director, Nigel Wright, who accepted the Awards at the conference comments, “Stax have worked closely with bira, especially over the past 12 months to find ways in which we can support their members. A large part of our customer base is made up of independent hardware retailers, many of whom are bira members so we are proud to have received these awards and will continue to work alongside bira to come up with initiatives that will help their members businesses grow.”

bira Commercial Manager, Matt Froome concludes, “Stax are always eager to work with the independent sector. Their promotional activity offers members genuine discounts on products that sell well, a promotional tactic that is overlooked but encourages loyalty and a good name with their customer. Their campaigns are clear and concise, they keep it simple but do it well.”