Housing Units on industry Oscars shortlist

Housing Units has been named as a finalist in the department store industry equivalent of the Oscars alongside some of the UK’s most iconic retail names.

The Wickentree Lane store in Hollinwood has been named in the final five of the best department retailer of gifts in The Greats Gift Retailer of the Year Awards 2009 which take place at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel next Thursday. The other finalists include giants Selfridges, Liberty and John Lewis.

The category is open to independent department stores, or individual outlets of bigger chains. It takes into account product range, product knowledge, staff training, customer care, promotion and display and is organised by industry magazine Progressive Gifts and Home Worldwide.

Nick Fox, director of Housing Units, said: “Just making it to the top five alongside such massive names is a tremendous achievement and a fantastic confirmation of the efforts, enthusiasm and professionalism of the Housing Units team.

“The fact that we are competing against a style icon like Liberty London and two huge Oxford Street stores — John Lewis and Selfridges — is tribute to all concerned at Housing Units.

“We know our customers well, we know what they like and many of them are like loyal friends as well as supporters.”

Established in 1947, Housing Units is a family-owned furnishings retailer stocking 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings.