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

Powering Retail with Renewable Energy

Staples Canada

The Orange Apron Recycling Innovation Program

The Home Depot

Putting the Red in InspiRED Design

Appliance Canada

Holiday TEDDY Campaign

Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)

Grow With Us

Staples Canada

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

La Vie en Rose

Eliminating Single-Use Packaging Program

La Vie en Rose

Easter Activation - Gold Bunny

Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)

Mike chez RONA: The Rebirth of an Iconic Brand

RONA

Redefining the Appliance Retail Experience

Corbeil Appliances

New Yorkdale Shopping Centre Boutique

Nespresso Canada

Real Sleep Campaign

IKEA Canada

Customer In Focus

IKEA Canada Limited Partnership

Fresh Baked Design

Cobs Bread

New RW&CO Flagship Store in St-Bruno, Québec

RW&Co.

Feast On Love

Pet Valu

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

Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)

Body Worn Cameras in Retail

Loblaw Companies Ltd.

The Unreal Deal

Save-On-Foods

The Art of Home

Silk & Snow

From Compact to Impact

Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)

Love at First Wash

Sephora

Enchanting the Holiday Shopper

Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)

Playtime

Pet Valu

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

Farm Boy Company Inc.

Iconic Purdys Purple Comes to Save-On-Foods

Pattison Food Group

The Ambition Collection

CIBC

Supporting Canadian Farmers with Duck's Unlimited Canada

Loblaw Companies Limited

Canada's Home Team

Home Hardware

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

CANNABIS XPRESS

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 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