**DEADLINE TO ENTER EXTENDED
TO NOVEMBER 25, 2009**

You know great in-store merchandising when you see it... so do we.

Canada's newest awards program recognizing excellence in merchandising for the Hardware and LBM retailing industry.

What are the CHIMA Awards?

The Canadian Home Improvement Merchandising Awards or CHIMA’s are the NEW industry awards program entering into their second year at the 2010 Canadian Home Improvement Show. Hardware Merchandising and Burlington Merchandising & Fixtures Inc. have teamed up to shine a spotlight on proactive retailers and vendors who have produced creative and unique instore displays and merchandising concepts. The intent is to get retailers and vendors alike to explore new and creative ideas in order to improve the customer’s shopping experience through visually appealing, educational and fun merchandising concepts.

 Click here to view the CHIMA Call for Entries PDF

Who Can Enter?

The contest is open to both vendors and retailers in recognition of superior merchandising concepts in hardware, building supply and speciality outlets. *Canadian retail outlets only

Award Categories

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

1. Hardware/Housewares
2. Building Materials
3. Home Décor
4. Seasonal
5. Best Category/Department presentation - Independent*
6. Best Category/Department presentation - Chain*

*Retailer Categories

1. Individual Store - (Display can be utilized at 1 to 5 locations)
2. Chain or Buying Group - (Display must be available in at least 15 different retail outlets)

Why Participate?

By entering this awards contest you can...

• Develop stronger merchandising concepts to drive sales in your store(s)
• Heighten the industry profile for your company/brand
• Create recognition for your managers and staff
• If you are a vendor, increase demand for your new merchandising displays

If you Win!

The winners will receive their awards during the gala dinner to be held at the Canadian Home Improvement Show in February 2010.

Each winning entry will be featured as an editorial profile in subsequent issues of Hardware Merchandising magazine.

Judging

Hardware Merchandising and Burlington Merchandising and Fixtures will assemble a panel of independent retail merchandising experts, unaffiliated with any of the existing home improvement banners or their vendors, who will rate each entry on the following five criteria:

Visual Impact

• Is it attention-grabbing?
• Is it visually appealing?
• Does is slow the customer down?
• Is the product the "hero"?
• How effective are the colours and signage?

Uniqueness

• Creative use of space
• Creative use of materials

Clarity and Relevance

• How effectively does it inform (features & benefits, how-to)?
• Does it assist and motivate customers to make a purchase without sales assistance?
• Does the display simplify, rather than complicate, the decision process?
• Are the selection alternatives clear?

Sales Impact

• Participants should provide "before and after" sales data for this product, either actual dollar volume or a percentage increase during a 60 to 90 day period before and after the display installation. No sales data will be published without your consent.

Collaboration

• How creatively and effectively did the vendor(s) and retailer(s) work together?

Deadline for receipt of entries: Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Download the entry form.

Sponsored by: