Professional Jeweller unveils Shop Floor Stars 2015 winners at IJL

Over 70 guests arrived at the International Jewellery London Catwalk on Sunday September 6 to hear the results of Professional Jeweller’s Shop Floor Stars initiative.

The 21 finalists, six special award winners and one overall winner were each called to the stage to accept their trophies, with companies such as Beaverbrooks, Swag, Mococo, JewelStreet, Wongs Jewellers and Alexis Dove represented.

Cred’s boutique manager Monica Garcia was crowned Shop Floor Star 2015 based on the strength of her nominations for the work she does for the company.

Cred sales director Sabrina Burley, who nominated Garcia said: “Monica’s energy and passion for our gold story are infectious, helping customers understand the transformative power of Fairtrade gold, and the inherent beauty of the jewellery made from it.

As the longest-standing employee of Cred, Monica has been part of the training for each of the boutique staff, sharing her deep understanding and passion for the Fairtrade gold story. As Cred is based on a transparent and personal approach from the mine to the customer, Monica has a crucial role in communicating this to the rest of the staff and on the shop floor. Her stories are always told with a sparkle in the eye.”

When asked what she loves most about her job, Garcia explained: “What I love the most is the people. When I say people I include the miners who I recently visited in Peru – it makes my job 100% more worth it. I also mean the Cred team who are fantastic professionals and who continually help me to develop my career. And of course the customers who allow me to be part of their story and happiness while choosing engagement or wedding rings.”

Special accolades were presented to six exceptional sales professionals who showed a special aptitude in certain areas. These included;

Best Innovator Cynthia Aldridge, Wongs Jewellers

Creative Mind Yuen Lau, Kohatu + Petros

Positive Thinker Lucy Buckley, Petra Jewellery

Dedicated Service Ann Bentley, F. Hinds

Designer Savvy Aaron Weald, Baroque Bespoke Jewellery Brighton

Best Mentor Malgorzata Allen, Beaverbrooks

To complete Professional Jeweller’s list of 28 finalists, 21 sales superstars were also acknowledged for their hard work, dedication, forward-thinking sales ideas and positive attitude to jewellery retail. The people recognised are as follows;

Jutta Pfannkuch, Alex Monroe

Leo Moushiou, Buckley London

Joanne Wilson, Sarah Layton

Hollie Thomas, Henryka Amber and Silver

Carl Williams, T A Henn

Jennifer Green, Warrenders

Jo Hathaway, Alexis Dove

Suzanne Bartley, Mococo in Wrexham

Mark Daniels, John Greed

Sarah Gault, H & T Pawnbrokers

David Arkell, F. Hinds

Jackie Ivison, Ogden of Harrogate

Aimee Harber, Mococo

Chris Gray, Swag Jewellers

Caroline Davies, Beaverbrooks

Gary Birchill, Clogau

Sinade Prosser, Fabulous

Courtney Kelly, JewelStreet

Sean Jadoon, Rare Pink

Nafir Chowdury, Thomas Sabo

Jordan Pritchard, Thomas Sabo

Professional Jeweller’s assistant editor Stacey Hailes, who oversaw the event at IJL said: “Shop Floor Stars is an exciting initiative that gives us, and the wider industry, a chance to meet and celebrate the customer service staff who work extremely hard all year round to ensure the jewellery industry excels. It was such a joy to meet all the finalists and congratulate them for all they do.

“I would like to personally thank every single individual who has made this campaign a success; from the very deserving finalists to the retail owners who arrived at the IJL Catwalk to support them.”

Shop Floor Stars was initiated in May 2014 as a way of recognising customer service staff and managers for the brilliant work they do. Professional Jeweller was inundated with nominations, which were then whittled down to a list of 28 exceptional individuals.

For more information about the campaign, or how to get involved next year, email stacey.hailes@itppromedia.com.