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
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.
Project Phoenix: Modernizing Fulfilment at Best Buy Canada’s Brampton Distribution Centre
Best Buy Canada
Project Phoenix: Modernizing Fulfilment at Best Buy Canada’s Brampton Distribution Centre
Best Buy Canada
Last year, Best Buy Canada accelerated its supply chain modernization by implementing AutoStore at its Brampton distribution centre, a key milestone enabled by the Blue Yonder warehouse management system. AutoStore, a high-density automated storage and retrieval system, maximizes space by storing inventory in a compact grid and using robotics to deliver products directly to associates. This goods-to-person model reduces travel, streamlines workflows, and improves efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
S.O.S Spotlight on Shrink & Safety
Staples Canada
S.O.S Spotlight on Shrink & Safety
Staples Canada
S.O.S: Spotlight on Shrink & Safety is Staples Canada’s national engagement program designed to reduce shrink, strengthen operational discipline, and elevate safety awareness across all retail, fulfillment, and delivery operations. Through weekly education, behavior-based recognition, and real-time analytics, the program empowers associates to protect people, property, and profits. In 2025, S.O.S delivered more than 52,000 recognitions, driving measurable improvements in inventory accuracy, hazard reporting, and shrink reduction across high-risk categories.
The Ambition Collection
CIBC
The Ambition Collection
CIBC
In response to the U.S. imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian imports in March 2025, Canadian shoppers became more interested in supporting Canadian-made goods—both to save money and as an act of patriotism. Seizing the moment, CIBC partnered with Toronto Pearson to launch The Ambition Collection, a curated pop-up in Terminal 1 International Arrivals showcasing Canadian entrepreneurs and their products. Running from October 2025 through early 2026, the activation connected millions of travellers with local brands through immersive displays, founder stories, and QR-enabled shopping.
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.
LCBO's Pathways to Success - Transforming the New Manager Experience
LCBO
LCBO's Pathways to Success - Transforming the New Manager Experience
LCBO
Pathways to Success is the LCBO’s onboarding experience that prepares new Store Managers to lead with confidence, connection, and capability from day one. The program combines eLearning, in-person training, hands-on application, mentorship and ongoing reinforcement to create a consistent and clearly structured learning journey. It unifies leadership development, operational excellence, and LCBO values into one experience that supports every new manager across the province. Pathways to Success is building strong leaders who elevate performance, culture, and the customer experience.
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.
SIMU – Transforming Retail & Call Centre Talent Development and Customer Experience
Bell
SIMU – Transforming Retail & Call Centre Talent Development and Customer Experience
Bell
Bell launched SIMU, an AI powered Customer Experience (CX) simulator that generates realistic, back-and-forth
customer interactions for both retail frontline staff and call centre agents. Codeveloped by Bell’s Product Technical team and Internal Learning & Development, SIMU enables safe, repeatable space to practice customer interactions—from greeting and discovery to value articulation and solutioning. This unique experience blends digital microlearning, guided roleplay, and standardized coaching tools based on Bell’s sales and service models. By providing instant feedback, flexible self-serve coaching, and leadership visibility through a Dashboard Tab. SIMU improves morale, accelerates employee ramp-up, and improves customer engagement—driving consistent operational excellence at scale.
Personalized By Design: Delivering Human-Centred Development at Scale
Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
Personalized By Design: Delivering Human-Centred Development at Scale
Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
Rooted in 70 years as a family business, Longo’s invests in leadership development that meets people where they are. In partnership with Growthspace, leaders receive personalized support through coaching, workshops, and collaborative problem‑solving experiences aligned to real moments and challenges. The result is confident leaders, stronger collaboration, and lasting organizational impact.
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.
Tailoring the Retail Experience: The SURMESUR Flagship Concept
Surmesur
Tailoring the Retail Experience: The SURMESUR Flagship Concept
Surmesur
SURMESUR reimagined its retail experience with a new flagship concept designed as a modern tailoring atelier. Through
circular design stations, private fitting environments and hospitality-driven spaces, clients are invited to collaborate with their stylist to create a fully personalized wardrobe. The result is a more immersive, service-driven experience that has increased engagement, average order value and client retention.
Canada's Home Team
Home Hardware
Canada's Home Team
Home Hardware
Home Hardware seized a national moment during the Blue Jays’ playoff run, brilliantly transforming from a familiar brand into “Canada’s Home Team.” Through an authentic campaign featuring their own local Dealers embodying the nation’s underdog spirit, they forged an unparalleled emotional connection. This strategic move ignited widespread engagement, empowered its community, and drove significant, measurable business growth.
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.
Playtime
Pet Valu
Playtime
Pet Valu
Pet Valu’s Playtime campaign didn’t fight screen time, it hijacked it. By inserting playful interruptions into streaming, gaming, and scrolling moments, the campaign reminded pet parents that play isn’t optional, it’s essential. By interrupting streaming, scrolling, and gaming moments with playful, pet‑provoking media, Pet Valu reframed toys from a “nice‑to‑have” into an essential part of pet health and happiness. The result was a campaign that didn’t just capture attention, it changed behavior, one playful pause at a time.
From Barn to Basket: Reimagining Farm Boy Kanata’s Shop-Within-a-Shop
Farm Boy Company Inc.
From Barn to Basket: Reimagining Farm Boy Kanata’s Shop-Within-a-Shop
Farm Boy Company Inc.
Farm Boy’s new Kanata, Ontario store—purpose built to replace a nearly 30 year old, smaller location—delivers an immersive, shop within a shop fresh market experience rooted in “A Farm Boy Fresh Twist” on grocery shopping: “fresh, local, and made by us.” The design blends warm, farm inspired materials with illuminated focal points guiding shoppers through distinct departments, from a life size barn feature to hand finished bulkheads and facades. Interior design support came from Inicio Design and Greystone Design Group Inc. with all other creative led internally. The result is a larger, better flowing full shop destination that elevates brand presence while delighting families, value seekers, and forward thinking shoppers while still achieving a fresh-market feel.
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.
Brewing a Brand Into Space: Inside Tim Hortons First Experiential TimShop Pop-Up
Restaurant Brands International
Brewing a Brand Into Space: Inside Tim Hortons First Experiential TimShop Pop-Up
Restaurant Brands International
The TimShop Pop-Up at Toronto Eaton Centre marked the first physical retail expression of Tim Horton’s merchandise platform, translating the brand’s most recognizable symbols into immersive design. Sculptural elements such as a donut-shaped cash desk, stacked red cup installation, and retro rec-room lounge transformed everyday icons into architectural storytelling. The result was a discovery driven retail environment that allowed Canadians to step inside the Tim Hortons brand for the first time.
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.
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.
Enchanting the Holiday Shopper
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)
Enchanting the Holiday Shopper
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)
Lindt’s Enchanting the Holiday Shopper program transforms the in-store experience into a premium Christmas destination, inspiring shoppers through elevated displays, gift solutions, and festive storytelling. By combining high-impact merchandising, strategic placement, and sampling, the program drives discovery, impulse purchases, across key holiday occasions. The result is a seamless, gift-ready experience that delights shoppers and positions Lindt as the ultimate destination for holiday chocolate.
Project Bootleg
LCBO
Project Bootleg
LCBO
Over the course of the investigation, police and LCBO investigators identified multiple individuals involved in trafficking the stolen liquor and connected them to ten distinct organized theft groups. These groups are alleged to have supplied the operation with more than $1.3 million in stolen product. The majority of the liquor was sold directly from the accused’s residence or delivered to buyers throughout the GTA. Individuals associated with this trafficking operation were subsequently arrested and charged.
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.
New Yorkdale Shopping Centre Boutique
Nespresso Canada
New Yorkdale Shopping Centre Boutique
Nespresso Canada
Nespresso Canada opened our newly rennovated boutique in Yorkdale Shopping Centre in March 2025. This elegant space is the latest concept design by the Nespresso global retail design team in Milan, executed by DK Studio Architects. Our in-store experience centers on tastings at the Coffee As An Art (CAAA) bar, where customers engage with coffee specialists while savoring premium blends. This initiative aims to redefine the retail coffee experience, transforming each visit into a memorable event that highlights our commitment to quality and sustainability.
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.
Awards of Distinction
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