Celebrate your work.
Acknowledge your team.
Each year, the Excellence in Retailing Awards (ERA) recognize the industry game changers that go above and beyond to serve their customers and push Canada into the future of retail.
Awards Gala: A Night to Celebrate Your Team
Revel in industry-wide recognition of your work, celebrate with your colleagues in person, and make new connections. Guests enjoy a cocktail reception, a delicious dinner, and inspiring awards ceremonies.
2026 FINALISTS
The ''Be Your Own Breast Friend Campaign'' In Collaboration with the Cancer Research Society
La Vie en Rose
The ''Be Your Own Breast Friend Campaign'' In Collaboration with the Cancer Research Society
La Vie en Rose
Developed in partnership with its Roses of Hope Foundation and the Cancer Research Society, this national, multi-year commitment will contribute $3,000,000 over three years to advance breast cancer research in Canada. The initiative mobilizes customers, employees, and communities through targeted fundraising campaigns, dedicated product collections, and sustained awareness efforts.
Urban Focused Assortment for Small Format Success
Walmart Canada
Urban Focused Assortment for Small Format Success
Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada’s Port Credit store showcases how disciplined merchandising can deliver big‑store capability within an urban format less than half the size of a traditional Supercentre. Through curated assortment, intentional adjacencies, elevated fixtures, and omni‑enabled decision points, the store maintains clarity, confidence, and perceived completeness at Everyday Low Price. The result is a scalable, merchandising‑led model designed for modern urban shoppers.
Love at First Wash
Sephora
Love at First Wash
Sephora
As Canada’s leading beauty retailer, Sephora Canada wanted to generate excitement and discovery around Sephora’s hair wash category in order to drive growth and shift clients from mass to prestige products. Centred on the core message that good hair starts in the shower, the retailer executed an immersive, experiential wash care pop-up across seven locations, featuring tactile educational fixtures, comprehensive staff training and 360-amplification.
Meet Rose: The AI Assistant Bringing In-Store Service to Online Shopping
La Vie en Rose
Meet Rose: The AI Assistant Bringing In-Store Service to Online Shopping
La Vie en Rose
To enhance the digital shopping experience and replicate the personalized service of in-store associates online, la Vie en Rose implemented Rose, an AI-Powered Shopping Assistance chatbot. This delivers personalized, omnichannel assistance that reduces friction in the buying journey, improves satisfaction, increases engagement and conversion, and creates a more interactive, customer-centric e-commerce experience.
New RW&CO Flagship Store in St-Bruno, Québec
RW&Co.
New RW&CO Flagship Store in St-Bruno, Québec
RW&Co.
Opened in October 2025, RW&CO.’s first-ever flagship store at Primaris’ Promenades St-Bruno marks a key milestone in the brand’s evolution. Designed by Dalziel & Pow, the 7,800-square-foot space brings RW&CO.’s recent rebrand to life through an elevated, customer-centric retail experience. As the brand’s largest store to date, the flagship reflects RW&CO.’s refined positioning as a Canadian fashion authority, blending timeless essentials with occasion-ready fashion.
Canada's Shipping Destination
Staples Canada
Canada's Shipping Destination
Staples Canada
Staples Canada is proud to introduce Canada’s Shipping Destination, a brand new shipping concept that debuted in 10 of our stores in 2025. Our shipping business is growing, as we offer in store packing and shipping services with multiple carriers, returns for Amazon and Pudo, and also package pick up in select stores. This new concept unlocks our growth opportunity via a custom built destination in store catered entirely to the shipping customer, while still reflecting our brand promise of making things easy.
Feast On Love
Pet Valu
Feast On Love
Pet Valu
Feast on Love transformed holiday pet feeding into a shared ritual of love, inviting Devoted Pet Lovers to include pets in the season’s most meaningful moments. Pet Valu inspired pet lovers to elevate holiday feeding rituals with expert guidance, creator storytelling, and a digitally led, social‑first campaign. The result was a warm, culturally resonant idea that connected emotionally while delivering strong commercial impact.
Safeguarding Success: Implementing a Comprehensive Physical & Digital Loss Prevention Strategy Across CANNABIS XPRESS Stores
CANNABIS XPRESS
Safeguarding Success: Implementing a Comprehensive Physical & Digital Loss Prevention Strategy Across CANNABIS XPRESS Stores
CANNABIS XPRESS
CANNABIS XPRESS has implemented one of the most advanced and comprehensive loss prevention programs in Canadian retail, integrating physical security, digital safeguards, and artificial intelligence across its 21 stores in Ontario and New Brunswick. Originating in Grand Bay-Westfield, New Brunswick—the province’s first private cannabis store—the program has achieved a flawless record of zero break-ins or robberies and maintains theft rates 90% below national retail benchmarks. Combining 24/7 monitored surveillance, employee training, layered operational controls, and AI-powered transaction analytics, the system proactively detects and prevents loss before it occurs. This innovative approach not only protects people, property, and profits but also sets a new national standard for safe, efficient, and trustworthy cannabis retailing.
Bar Down Blast: Western Family x Vancouver Canucks Ice Cream
Pattison Food Group
Bar Down Blast: Western Family x Vancouver Canucks Ice Cream
Pattison Food Group
When hockey culture meets the freezer aisle, something special can happen. Save-On-Foods and the Vancouver Canucks brought their partnership to life with Bar Down Blast, a cobranded Western Family ice cream launched through fan voting, mascot-led moments, and unforgettable in-arena reveals. From centre ice to store freezers, the flavour became a fan favourite, delivering standout sales, soaring brand recall, and high-energy engagement across Canucks Nation.
Eh List
LCBO
Eh List
LCBO
After the US government implemented retaliatory tariffs, the Ontario Government directed LCBO to pull American products—including many perennial best-sellers —off of their shelves. LCBO, as a champion of local industry, saw a huge opportunity to take a moment of upheaval, where many customers were forced to choose something new, and turn it into transformative growth for the local industry. Embracing our role as a champion of the local beverage alcohol industry, LCBO launched “Eh List,” a campaign celebrating and elevating Ontario- and Canadian-made products, and helping convince Ontarian customers to make “buying local” part of their new habit.
Dubai Inspired Chocolate Activation
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)
Dubai Inspired Chocolate Activation
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)
The Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar launch sought to reinforce Lindt’s premium brand with a Dubai inspired product. Exclusive retail availability aimed to generate excitement, prompt impulse purchases, and position the Lindt bar as a top gifting choice. The activation featured luxury displays to highlight exclusivity, quality, and value, targeting strong initial sales, brand awareness, and lasting impressions for future wholesale success.
Proudly Canadian Shopping Experience
Well.ca
Proudly Canadian Shopping Experience
Well.ca
In response to a surge in demand for Canadian-made products following economic uncertainty and increased attention on tariffs, Well.ca launched a fully integrated, AI-powered shopping experience designed to make discovering and purchasing Canadian brands seamless. By combining curated landing pages, intuitive on-site identifiers, and AI-driven personalization across web, email, organic and paid social media and more, Well.ca transformed a growing cultural movement into a best-in-class e-commerce experience.
Win, Win, Win: Trade-in is Good for Customers, Business, and the Planet
Staples Canada
Win, Win, Win: Trade-in is Good for Customers, Business, and the Planet
Staples Canada
Staples Canada partnered with Allstate to launch Staples Trade-in by Allstate, a nationwide program that turns old devices into instant value. Designed to be flexible and effortless, Canadians can convert the old tech they’ve got stashed away in drawers into Staples e-gift cards they receive in moments. Each device is then securely refurbished or responsibly recycled.
The Heart of the Home, Reimagined: An Immersive Kitchen Experience
IKEA Canada
The Heart of the Home, Reimagined: An Immersive Kitchen Experience
IKEA Canada
IKEA Canada returned to Canada’s premier design stage, the Toronto Interior Design Show 2026, with an immersive kitchen experience that challenged perceptions of what affordable design can be. Built on insights from IKEA Canada Life at Home research and hundreds of real home visits across the country, the fully functional space invited guests to explore, interact, and rethink the role of the kitchen in everyday living. The result was a standout installation, proving beautiful design can be practical, accessible, and built to last.
Driving Supply Chain Sustainability Through Iceless Innovation
Sobeys Inc.
Driving Supply Chain Sustainability Through Iceless Innovation
Sobeys Inc.
Verdant Technologies has expanded the adoption of its HarvestHold Fresh® product in Canada to improve the sustainability and efficiency of the North American broccoli supply chain. HarvestHold Fresh is an in-box postharvest technology that enables the elimination of ice in broccoli shipping, which significantly improves sustainability through reducing water consumption, freight savings and improving employee safety. Empire Company Limited, parent company of Sobeys Inc. was the first major grocery retailer in North America to adopt the technology, and has since encouraged growers, retailers, and other partners to join the initiative, collectively expanding its sustainability impact across Canadian food systems.
Destination Sport Store Concept
SportChek
Destination Sport Store Concept
SportChek
The Destination Sport store concept is an elevated, large‑format retail
experience designed to lead with sport, offering a dominant assortment across key performance categories and making it easier for athletes to shop by sport. It brings brands to life through enhanced visual presentation, elevated footwear experience, and sales‑assisted technology, while integrating expanded service offerings such as custom fitting and equipment services. The result is a modern, highly immersive store that positions the brand as a true sport destination—not just a place to buy gear, but a hub that supports customers throughout their athletic journey.
From Storefront to Shoreline: Reimagining Retail Experience Design
Rogers Communications Inc.
From Storefront to Shoreline: Reimagining Retail Experience Design
Rogers Communications Inc.
From Storefront to Shoreline: Reimagining Retail Experience Design introduces a new era of retail by merging physical space with lifestyle experience. Anchored in a waterfront destination, the integrated store and branded patio create a fluid, design-forward environment that extends engagement beyond the traditional footprint. The result is a curated, immersive experience that redefines how and where customers connect and engage with the brand.
Even Santa Shops Here
Indigo Books & Music Inc.
Even Santa Shops Here
Indigo Books & Music Inc.
Even Santa Shops Here was designed to reinforce Indigo’s position as a trusted, inspiring holiday gifting destination during the most competitive retail period of the year. By placing the world’s most iconic gift giver at the centre of the story, the campaign communicated credibility, magic, and emotional warmth—signalling that customers can deliver gifts as special as Santa’s by shopping at Indigo.
The Orange Apron Recycling Innovation Program
The Home Depot
The Orange Apron Recycling Innovation Program
The Home Depot
In 2025, The Home Depot Canada diverted over 14,000 pounds of associate aprons from landfill when it launched a national apron recycling program to further advance circular innovation in store operations.
World Cup In-Store Activation
SportChek
World Cup In-Store Activation
SportChek
SportChek, in partnership with adidas, delivered a destination-led World Cup experience that elevated the in-store journey through high-impact visual merchandising and key activations at the front of store and throughout. Designed as a scalable system, the program translated a global sporting moment into impactful visual storytelling, deliberate product adjacencies, and consistent execution across multiple store formats.
Get Serious About Sleep
Sleep Country Canada
Get Serious About Sleep
Sleep Country Canada
Sleep Country Canada faced a stagnating retail category where sleep product purchases had become commoditized and easy to postpone. To reignite demand, the brand launched Get Serious About Sleep, a national platform confronting Canadians’ normalized neglect of sleep. “Sleep Daddy” (Eugene Levy) and “Le Sommeil” (Marc Labrèche) interrupted poor bedtime behaviour and challenged consumers to take sleep more seriously. The integrated program spanned TV, digital, social, retail promotions, and owned channels, reinforcing Sleep Country as Canada’s destination for better sleep.
Save-On-Foods Zero Food Waste Initiative
Pattison Food Group
Save-On-Foods Zero Food Waste Initiative
Pattison Food Group
Save‑On‑Foods’ Zero Food Waste Initiative is a national leader in managed food rescue, diverting more than 91% of food and organic material from landfill through prioritized donations, support for small farms, and composting as a last resort. Powered by a data‑driven model across all stores, the program avoids at least 34,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ annually, conserves freshwater, and provides more than 15 million meals each year—demonstrating how strong partnerships and disciplined operations can turn surplus food into lasting community and environmental value.
Powering Retail with Renewable Energy
Staples Canada
Powering Retail with Renewable Energy
Staples Canada
Strengthening our sustainability partnerships with transparent and accessible reporting, Staples is the first retailer to pilot Bullfrog Environmental Tokens. Introduced at our brand‑defining Burlington, Ontario store grand opening, these digital tokens include detailed metadata that provides long‑term traceability of the store’s environmental impact. Customers can access real‑time information about the store’s renewable energy use through in‑store signage with QR codes that link directly to its clean energy profile.
With All Our Hearts: Turning National Pride into Purpose, Partnership, and Performance
Hillberg & Berk
With All Our Hearts: Turning National Pride into Purpose, Partnership, and Performance
Hillberg & Berk
Through the With All Our Hearts campaign, Hillberg & Berk reimagined how Canadians could show up for Team Canada. With a collection designed to be worn, shared, and gifted, the campaign transformed national pride into personal identity. The result was a powerful blend of storytelling and retail performance, generating over $1M in sales and strengthening Hillberg & Berk’s position as a Canadian, purpose-driven brand.
Enhancing the Mobile Checkout Process
Bikini Village
Enhancing the Mobile Checkout Process
Bikini Village
To address increasing competition and plateauing conversion rates, Bikini Village set out to enhance its mobile checkout experience through a series of targeted CRO experiments focused on reducing friction and improving completion rates.
The Unreal Deal
Save-On-Foods
The Unreal Deal
Save-On-Foods
For more than a decade, Darrell’s Deals was Save-On-Foods’ trusted weekly promotion, delivering strong value and building deep brand loyalty. With the retirement of Darrell Jones in February 2025, Save-On-Foods saw an opportunity to modernize the platform and better connect with families, leading to the launch of Unreal Deal. Designed to carry the legacy forward in a fresh, energetic way, Unreal Deal reinforces one clear message: the deal is on at Save-On-Foods.
Fresh Baked Design
Cobs Bread
Fresh Baked Design
Cobs Bread
To amplify the brand’s promise of fresh-baked quality, the design reimagines the traditional bakery layout by opening up the back-of-house to full customer view. By integrating visible prep stations and a transparent bread wall, the design maximizes a small retail footprint to create a high-touch, sensory experience where seeing is believing. The result is an elevated front-of-house flow that seamlessly connects the artistry of the bakers with the community they serve.
Strengthening Communities Through School Nutrition: The “nourish to flourish” Program
Farm Boy Company Inc.
Strengthening Communities Through School Nutrition: The “nourish to flourish” Program
Farm Boy Company Inc.
Launched province wide in 2024, “nourish to flourish” provides grants for fresh meals; hands on food education; school gardens; farm field trips; and guest speakers—helping students both eat well and understand where food comes from. In its first year, the program funded $55,000 across 30 schools; in its second year, Farm Boy expanded the program to $161,000 in grants for 46 schools, significantly increasing impact and reach. This represents a 193% year-over year increase in total funding, clearly showcasing the need for a program of this kind.
Putting the Red in InspiRED Design
Appliance Canada
Putting the Red in InspiRED Design
Appliance Canada
Our Richmond BC showroom redefines appliance retail by blending Canadian warmth with aesthetic function, featuring rich wooden ceilings and thoughtfully curated lifestyle vignettes that transform shopping into an immersive experience. Since 1983, we’ve put the RED in inspiRED design, and this innovative space elevates that legacy through refined flow, enhanced lighting, and wider aisleways that invite customers to explore and envision their dream homes. This is our invitation for British Columbians to “”Turn over a New Leaf”” with a revolutionary retail experience that balances sensory appeal with unparalleled customer comfort.
Body Worn Cameras in Retail
Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Body Worn Cameras in Retail
Loblaw Companies Ltd.
A steady, impartial witness to every front-line interaction, Body Worn Cameras capture clear, independent records that cut through dispute and uncertainty. Paired with proven de‑escalation practices, the program protects staff and shoppers, reduces confrontations, and prevents loss through reliable evidence and deterrence.
Awards of Distinction
Retailer of the Year
Alimentation Couche-Tard
Ambassador of the Year
The Jilly Box
Award Winner
Browns Shoes
Retail Education Scholarship Program
Each year, RCC awards scholarships to students interested in a career in retail or who currently work in retail. In 2025, $62,000 in scholarships was awarded to students working in retail and who are entering or currently enrolled in a retail-related program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Awards Gala hosted by Taylor Kaye
Guests will hear from a variety of industry leaders, including the 2026 Award of Distinction winners, Michael Brownstein and Jillian Harris. Guests will also enjoy an exceptional dinner, prepared under the consultation of world-renowned chef Mark McEwan.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Excellence in Retailing Awards showcases outstanding innovation in the retail section, gathering retail decision makers for a night of recognition and celebration.
Demonstrate thought leadership, build your brand and make new connections through various ERA Sponsorship Opportunities. Contact sponsorship at rccsponsorship@retailcouncil.org
Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala
June 2, 2026. Toronto Congress Centre. North Building. 1020 Martin Grove Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 1J1.
As The Voice of Retail™ in Canada since 1963, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) represents over 65,000 independent, regional, national mass and specialty retail businesses and online merchants in general merchandise, drug and grocery.
Application Timeline
MARCH 13, 2026
First Submission Deadline
MARCH 27, 2026
Deadline to Upload all Submission Details
APRIL 2026
Judging Period
MAY 2026
Finalists Announced
JUNE 2, 2026
Winners Announced at the 2026 Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala
Why Apply?
- Benchmark your work: Compare your projects against the best in retail, with over 50 submissions each year.
- Celebrate achievements: Showcase successful initiatives across 12 comprehensive retail categories.
- Gain expert recognition: Esteemed retail judges evaluate every submission.
- Highlight your team: Reward your team’s hard work by putting their efforts in the spotlight.
Awards Categories
The Excellence in Retail Awards recognize outstanding achievements in twelve distinct categories.
- NEW: Unified Commerce
- NEW: AI Operations Innovation
- NEW: Consumer AI Experience & Marketing Award
- E-Commerce Award
- Environmental Leadership
- Health, Safety & Wellness
- In-Store Experience & Design
- Philanthropic Leadership
- Pop-Up Experience & Design
- In-Store Merchandising
- Loss Prevention
- Retail Marketing
- Supply Chain Innovation
- Talent Development