Nominations Open for 2019 Young Retailer of the Year

Do you or one of your employees have what it takes to be named a 2019 Young Retailer of the Year honoree?

Now in its 23rd year, the Young Retailer of the Year program highlights the accomplishments of the newest class of hardware and home improvement leaders. 

From increasing sales and improving their communities to continuing their hardware and retail education, Young Retailer of the Year honorees represent the channel’s potential and promise.

Judging Criteria
Young Retailer of the Year nominees should be younger than 35 years old on Feb. 28, 2019. They must work at an independent hardware or home improvement center in the U.S., its territories or in Canada. Past entrants who have not been chosen as previous honorees are strongly encouraged to apply again to the program.

Judges will evaluate all entrants on four main criteria. 

• Judges will consider the high points of a nominee’s career, specifically evaluating how a nominee has contributed to the overall success of their business. 
• Nominees should explain how they continue their industry education.
• The efforts a nominee has made to improve their community will also be a criteria the judges consider.
• Finally, judges will evaluate other activities and initiatives a nominee has undertaken to improve their business and mark themselves as a stellar young retailer. 

Young Retailer of the Year honorees will be chosen in three categories: stores with less than $2 million in sales; stores with more than $2 million in sales; and multiple-store operations. All judges’ decisions are final. 

Submit a Video
This year, judges are encouraging applicants to submit videos.

Nominees can film a short video for the judging panel that briefly introduces them and the business they represent. This is a chance to tell the judges about themselves and their industry contributions. 

Nominees should address each of the four main judging criteria and give details on their involvement in the independent home improvement channel. They can share their thoughts on the future of the independent channel and how being named a Young Retailer of the Year would impact their career.

Program Benefits
Being named a Young Retailer of the Year can open doors throughout the industry. Honorees gain exposure for themselves and the businesses they represent. They benefit by participating in roundtables and by receiving scholarships to attend NRHA’s Retail Management Certification Program.

Act now: Nominations for the 2019 Young Retailer of the Year program will close Feb. 28, 2019. For more information on the program and official rules, be sure to visit nrha.org/yroty.