RETAIL COUNCIL OF CANADA

Excellence in
Retailing Awards

Awards Gala: June 2, 2026

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

Holiday TEDDY Campaign

Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)

Love at First Wash

Sephora

Supply Chain Transformation

Pet Valu

The Unreal Deal

Save-On-Foods

From Barn to Basket: Reimagining Farm Boy Kanata’s Shop-Within-a-Shop

Farm Boy Company Inc.

Get Serious About Sleep

Sleep Country Canada

Fuelling Futures, One Meal at a Time

Loblaw Companies Limited

With Its Newly Redesigned Montréal Store, the SQDC Puts In-Store Advice at the Heart of the Customer Experience

Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)

Enhancing the Mobile Checkout Process

Bikini Village

Eliminating Single-Use Packaging Program

La Vie en Rose

Playtime

Pet Valu

S.O.S Spotlight on Shrink & Safety

Staples Canada

Canada's Home Team

Home Hardware

Enchanting the Holiday Shopper

Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)

Customer In Focus

IKEA Canada Limited Partnership

New Yorkdale Shopping Centre Boutique

Nespresso Canada

Grow With Us

Staples Canada

Win, Win, Win: Trade-in is Good for Customers, Business, and the Planet

Staples Canada

Mike chez RONA: The Rebirth of an Iconic Brand

RONA

Brewing a Brand Into Space: Inside Tim Hortons First Experiential TimShop Pop-Up

Restaurant Brands International

With All Our Hearts: Turning National Pride into Purpose, Partnership, and Performance

Hillberg & Berk

Fresh Baked Design

Cobs Bread

Safeguarding Success: Implementing a Comprehensive Physical & Digital Loss Prevention Strategy Across CANNABIS XPRESS Stores

CANNABIS XPRESS

Urban Focused Assortment for Small Format Success

Walmart Canada

Commited to a Greener Future

Corbeil Appliances

Putting the Red in InspiRED Design

Appliance Canada

Driving Supply Chain Sustainability Through Iceless Innovation

Sobeys Inc.

Project Phoenix: Modernizing Fulfilment at Best Buy Canada’s Brampton Distribution Centre

Best Buy Canada

Meet Rose: The AI Assistant Bringing In-Store Service to Online Shopping

La Vie en Rose

Real Sleep Campaign

IKEA Canada

Awards of Distinction

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 will be 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