These 3 Retailers Know How to Work Their Niche | Retailer Excellence Awards

2025.07.24

Every year, the gift and home industry gathers to honor the best and brightest retailers, sales rep and manufacturers in the business as part of Gifts & Decorative Accessories‘ (GDA) Retailer Excellence Awards (REA). This year marks the 74th consecutive year the magazine has recognized outstanding achievements in the gift industry.

On the retailer side of the program, the REA recognizes retail excellence in seven specific award categories, plus one category from sister publication Home Accents Today (HAT):

When nominations open in the first quarter of the year, retailers are encouraged to enter themselves into one or more retail award categories in which they feel they qualify. Vendors, sales reps and other industry professionals may also nominate a retailer by filling out the same form, as long as they have enough details and photos from the retailer. Those nominations are then reviewed by a panel of judges, who narrow down the pool to three finalists in each category before taking final votes for category winners. Finalists for this year's retailer awards were announced by GDA in April, and today we are taking a closer look at a few of those retailers – finalists from the Specialty Store category – to learn more about why they were nominated ahead of June’s REA ceremony where final winners will be announced.

The Coastal Cupboard

Foodies and chefs alike have a dedicated resource for all their kitchenware needs at The Coastal Cupboard. This Mount Pleasant, S.C., shop prides itself on carrying a comprehensive collection of gadgets, grilling accessories and gourmet food items. A full-service shop, consumers can also have their kitchen knives sharpened, set up a bridal registry or custom design a gift basket filled with in-store goodies. The Coastal Cupboard also acts as an educational resource, offering online cooking tutorials that enhance product purchases.

The Scented Market

Offering a unique assortment of custom-designed candles, diffusers, oils and fragrance goods, The Scented Market in Guelph, Ontario, is more than just a great smelling shop. This innovation-focused retailer offers scent consultations and workshops, seasonal product launch events and a subscription service that offers exclusive, limited-edition merchandise. The Scented Market also speaks to eco-conscious consumers as a proud provider of sustainable, cruelty-free products. Last year, this retailer saw a 40-percent increase in repeat business, affirming its reputation as a destination store for fragrance-focused gift giving.

VintagePoint

An eclectic mix of retro gifts, with the pleasant scent of house-made candied almonds wafting through the air, greets customers of this Fargo, N.D., retail mainstay. With its current owners celebrating 20 years in business this year, Vintage-Point has a reputation for satisfying customers in search of memorable gifts. Strong attention to detail is evident in a series of vignettes housing timeless treasures of puzzles, jewelry and assorted sundries. Personal photos chronicling the history of the shop owners are also on display, offering another storytelling opportunity in this endearing shop.

The REA gala, which honors independent retailers for their achievements in multiple retail categories, will be held in conjunction with the Dallas Market Center's Total Home & Gift Market. It will take place on June 18, 2025, at Dallas Union Station Grand Hall and includes a cocktail networking hour, a strolling dinner, an awards presentation and a seated dessert.