Finally, after over 18 months of lockdown stop-go, post-brexit stock blues and a leaking shop roof (don’t ask), we finally received some good news.
No. Great news.
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Abrahams has been shortlisted for the Drapers Independents Awards 2021, in the ‘Lifestyle Independent of the Year’ category.
To be shortlisted for this prestigious award is all the more special given the last 18 months, which have been particularly difficult for all small businesses.
Drapers has been the leading authority on fashion retailing in the UK for over 130 years. Drapers say:
“Drapers Independents Awards 2021 recognises the fashion retailers and brands that have innovated to survive, supported their local communities, and built stronger businesses under the toughest of circumstances.
Indie retailers and the brands they stock have had a very difficult 12 months and there are more challenges ahead. However, indies are resilient and innovative, and we want to shine a spotlight on what has been achieved during this time of adversity”.
The news follows on from Drapers including Abrahams in their list of 100 Inspiring Independents in October 2020. During the height of the pandemic, instead of awards, Drapers created a list of 100 independent retailers to celebrate their survival and success stories.
For us, as a team, it’s recognition of all the hard work we’ve put in to make sure that Abrahams survives the most testing of times. In this business you have to plan over a year ahead, making decisions and choices that ultimately are for, and proved right or wrong, by our customers. However during the last year, we’ve had stock turning up too late, stock orders cancelled by suppliers and stock going on magical mystery tours. Finely detailed plans over 12 months have been replaced by day-to-day changes, desperate phone calls and frantic emails. However if you have visited Abrahams recently and we’ve done our job right, then you wouldn’t have noticed anything other than ‘normal service resumed’.
We are here. We have survived.
Abrahams are one of 4 businesses shortlisted in this category and the winner will be announced on 23 September in London. Who ever wins, congratulations, and let’s take the opportunity to thank the people who we do this for – our customers.
Best wishes,
Josie & the Abrahams team.
