Medtrade 2013, held in Orlando, Fla., was host to thousands of eager HME providers looking for a solution to stunted sales due to competitive bidding. The consensus: Retail is that solution, and ways to implement better practices into provider storefronts were evident in nearly every aspect of the show. The Innovative HME Retail Product Awards honored HME products that are particularly suited for effective retail sales in HME stores. The purpose of the competition was to promote and recognize products that contribute to providers’ bottom lines through cash sales. Manufacturers submitted their products for judging by a panel of retail experts prior to Medtrade. A committee of judges sorted through the latest products to find the best new retail items, all with the aim of helping providers bring in vital new revenue streams.
The winning products were featured in the expanded Retail Design Center and attendees were able to learn more about them at an interactive panel discussion moderated by Jim Greatorex, owner of Black Bear Medical in Portland, Maine. “I, and many others, go to Medtrade looking for the next great cash opportunity,” says Greatorex. “This year providers had a chance to expand their businesses, and in some situations, be one of the first to promote a product.” Judging was not an easy task, said Greg Thompson, director of media relations for Medtrade, who was front-row for the event. “Judges had a difficult time determining the winners of the inaugural Innovative HME Retail Product Awards at this year’s Medtrade, but they managed to come up with five deserving products. For attendees, the added spotlight of the awards made it just a little easier to sift through the offerings. Officials from winning exhibitors such as iWALK Free, Inc., have reported a landslide of product orders during the show. Medtrade plans to make the awards an annual event.” Narrowing down the abundance of products to only five was a tall order, but Greatorex and the other judges looked for products with large potential markets. The five winners were judged on functionality, quality/durability, aesthetics/style, environmental sustainability and ease of retail setup and pricing. In this section, you will find products from all five award winners, along with a selection of products that the judges recognized in their panel discussion as top contenders for the award. Visit medtrade.com.
