Voting underway for CHFA's Retailers' Choice awards

Awards to be presented at gala during January's Toronto market

Michael Knell -- Furniture Today, November 12, 2009

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Who are Canada's best furniture vendors? Retailers can vote online now for their choices and see the winners honored at a gala event during the Canadian Home Furnishings Market in January.

Every member of the Canadian Home Furnishings Alliance, Furniture West and the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn. is eligible for the Retailers' Choice award, which is being held for the fourth consecutive year.

"This is an opportunity for retailers to say who among us is doing an outstanding job, not just in designing and building product but when it comes to marketing, service and delivery as well," said CHFA Chairman Laine Reynolds.

For voting, the Retailers' Choice Award divides manufacturers into two categories: C$10 million and under in annual sales and more than C$10 million. The associations created the lists of nominees for each category.

Retailers can vote by logging onto the CHFA Web page devoted to the Retailers' Choice award at www2.marcomweb.com/chfa/

Voters are asked to select first, second and third place in each size range.

"The manufacturer with the highest overall score in each of the two categories will be awarded the 2009 Retailers' Choice medallion," said Reynolds, who is also vice president of sales for Superstyle Furniture.

When voting online, retailers are asked to consider several criteria, which were developed by the association in consultation with retailers. Among them are product quality and salability, service, distribution, in-store support and sales representation.

Retailers can vote as many times as they wish until Dec. 31.

Last year's honorees were Brentwood Classics in the under C$10 million category and Superstyle in the more than C$10 million category.

The winners will be announced during the 2010 CHFA gala dinner to be held on Friday, Jan. 8 at the International Centre in Toronto. Tickets are available by calling the CHFA at (905) 677-6561 or by sending an e-mail to association president Murray Vaughan at murray@chfaweb.ca.