GC Buying Group Announces 2016 Vendor Best Awards

Janis Johnson, founder and president of GC Buying Group, announced the winners of GC’s ninth annual Vendor Best Awards at Chicago’s International Home and Housewares Show during the group’s Store Member Breakfast Meeting.  

“It thrills me every year to present the GC Vendor Best Awards,” Johnson said. "The strong support and commitment that our vendors provide is unmatched and unyielding, working hard every single day to ensure the success of our independent retailers. The awards are the perfect platform to show our high level of gratitude for these remarkable vendors.”

Store members began submitting votes for the Vendor Best Awards during GC’s Start the Year Member Conference during January’s Gift & Home Furnishings Market in Atlanta. Store members were allotted one vote for each of the seven categories. Best Overall Vendor was determined by the vendor that received the highest number of awards.

Winner were:

In Stock: RSVP

Best Shipping: True Brands

In Store Fixtures: Le Creuset 

Most Creative: Le Creuset

Customer Service: Le Creuset 

In-store Signage: Wusthof

Most Creative Product: New Metro, Angry Mama

Overall Best Vendor: Le Creuset 

Following the announcement, the GC team presented awards to winning vendor members.

“We take much pride and honor for being recognized by the members of GC. The independent gourmet channel is very important to our brand as we continue to invest resources here,” said Bob Kerber, vice president of sales for Le Creuset. “Being recognized for these investments is proof to us that we are doing it right. We stand committed to driving demand for our retail partners by bringing forth new and innovative products, best in class content and merchandising materials and a sales team committed to supporting you.”

“NewMetro is honored to receive The Most Creative Product Award from all the GC members for Angry Mama,” said Cheryl Robertson. “We appreciate their continued support of all our products over the years and we continue to strive to give them more new and exciting products this year as well.”

Ashley Koempel of True Brands said: "At True Brands we pride ourselves on providing top service within every aspect of our company and we are very excited and grateful to the GC community for this recognition and will strive to continue making True Brands one of your vendor best companies."

“Gourmet Catalog is an authority in the housewares and gourmet products industry and many of our best customers are GC members. It is an honor to receive any recognition from GC and we are very proud and appreciative,” said Todd Myers, vice president of sales at Wusthof.

“RSVP International is grateful for the relationship built between the Gourmet Catalog group staff and its loyal customers,” said Krista Jenkins of RSVP.  “Their support of our brand and our product line continues to strengthen our partnership. As a company focused on the specialty store, we strive to consistently provide great product, excellent customer service, fast shipping and a nearly 100 percent fill rate. Thank you for recognizing our strengths.”

GC Buying Group members form the original buying group in the housewares industry. Celebrating 35 years in 2016, GC works to ensure the success of independent retailers with a variety of programs and services, including discounts provided by 200-plus vendor members.