These awards have been long established within our industry. I should know...I've been to all 15 of them! But this was the first one where I was invited along to present some of the awards as retra's chief executive.

Since joining retra, I have constantly been impressed by the lengths to which independent retailers go to ensure customers receive the best service possible. They forge strong relationships - some may even say friendships - with their customers. So much so that generations of the same family will stick with them. Recommendation is, without doubt, the best form of advertising.

What I have also noticed is that this incredible hard work and commitment is often underacknowledged within our industry. For this reason, retra has worked with IER magazine and BDC to create five new awards that specifically celebrate the work of independents, large and small.

This year, in the consumer electronics section, Bennetts Retail was named best large independent and the best small independent award went to SS Audio of Bradford.

Bennetts Retail has been a member of retra for many years and over time has extended its influence across the East of England. Kully Johal, owner of SS Audio, was also a thoroughly deserving winner. He has built up a number of highly successful stores through a combination of creativity and practical business sense.

In the domestic appliance sector, the winning large independent retailer was RDO Kitchen Appliances, and the small independent retailer award went to J. Rayners and Sons.

RDO Kitchen Appliances has rapidly expanded in recent years, thanks to great teamwork and a focus on new business opportunities. Despite predictions of hard economic times ahead, RDO Kitchen Appliances has ambitious plans to move head offices and to open a new Miele Centre in the near future.

J Rayners and Sons shares the same confidence. They plan to open a Samsung shop-in-shop this August. It is these retailers - who embrace change - who will come through any economic downturn and be the stronger for it.

Last but by no means least, this year's award for outstanding customer service was presented to Mary Peters of Michael R Peters in Bedford. This award encapsulates all the essential principles of an independent retailer and I am delighted that Michael R Peters was the winner.

The way Michael R Peters treats its customers and staff is second to none. There are staff there who have been with the company for over 15 years. It's this passion and continuity of service, which helps build relationships with customers and keeps them head and shoulders above the competition.

Michael R Peters also has a strong tradition of staff training. We are so impressed with their consultant George Morton, that he now conducts training sessions for other retra members. It is only through sales training and increased product knowledge that independents can really excel as specialists in their field.

On the subject of training, congratulations must go to Sony who won an award this year for their excellent training programmes. It is extremely important that manufacturers follow Sony's example and provide independent retailers with first class training opportunities.

Other worthy winners on the night included Samsung (Most Impactful Product - Consumer Electronics), Bosch (Best Consumer Advertising - Major Appliances) and Alphason Designs (Best Accessory Company).

But extra special congratulations must be reserved for Leslie Burrage, chief executive of Roberts Radio, who was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. It has been my pleasure and privilege to know Leslie for over 15 years both as a work colleague (both of us worked for Glen Dimplex at Mexborough, South Yorkshire) and as a friend. Leslie is one of the true gentlemen of the industry and justly deserves this accolade. Well done, Leslie!

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