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.
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.
Grow With Us
Staples Canada
Grow With Us
Staples Canada
Grow with Us is a national talent development program that opens career pathways for retail associates by turning internal mobility into a real, accessible opportunity. Through practical tools, inspiring career stories, and direct access to hiring leaders, the program makes skills‑based growth visible, achievable, and encouraged across Staples Canada. The result is stronger engagement, increased internal movement, and a more future‑ready workforce built from within.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mike chez RONA: The Rebirth of an Iconic Brand
RONA
Mike chez RONA: The Rebirth of an Iconic Brand
RONA
In spring 2025, RONA hit a marketing home run in Quebec with its “Mike chez RONA” campaign featuring a fictitious employee named Mike that became an overnight phenomenon in the province. Leveraging nostalgia and entertainment through a parody of the 70’s hit “My Sharona”, the campaign captured the attention of the public and led to an all-out Mikemania. More than a campaign, Mike became a cultural icon, re-establishing RONA as a trusted and locally relevant home improvement partner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Redefining the Appliance Retail Experience
Corbeil Appliances
Redefining the Appliance Retail Experience
Corbeil Appliances
Corbeil Appliances’ enhanced in-store experience and design initiative as expressed through our new concept stores in Boucherville and St-Hubert, Quebec. Created with NoBrainer Agency, Dyda Architecture, Léger Market Research, and appliance manufacturer partners, the concept transforms appliance shopping from a traditional showroom into an immersive, customer-centered environment. Through a modular layout, persona-led merchandising, realistic kitchen vignettes, consultative signage, interactive digital tools, and hands-on testing in “The Lab,” we created a store experience that is more engaging, more intuitive, and more aligned with customer needs—while reinforcing Corbeil’s position as a specialist in home appliances.
Easter Activation - Gold Bunny
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)
Easter Activation - Gold Bunny
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)
Lindt Canada Retail’s 2025 Easter merchandising campaign centred around the iconic Gold Bunny, creating
engaging window displays and exclusive in-store experiences. The initiative aimed to attract Easter shoppers, boost foot traffic, and drive sales with visually striking décor and dynamic messaging. By showcasing the largest selection of Gold Bunny products, the campaign positioned Lindt stores as the prime destination for seasonal premium chocolate gifts, achieving increased sales and brand visibility.
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.
From Compact to Impact
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)
From Compact to Impact
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada)
Reimagining one of Lindt Canada’s top stores by designing and building a new store concept with a core focus on
improved customer experience, store circulation, dedicated spaces for creative activation, and optimized store operations.
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.
Eliminating Single-Use Packaging Program
La Vie en Rose
Eliminating Single-Use Packaging Program
La Vie en Rose
In summer 2023, la Vie en Rose Group eliminated single‑use shopping bags from all la Vie en Rose banner stores across the country, regardless of municipal packaging regulations. This operational shift was designed to drive a fundamental behavioural change, encouraging customers to transition toward “bring-your-own” and reuse practices.
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.
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.
We’re All In On Ontario
LCBO
We’re All In On Ontario
LCBO
In a crowded “buy local” moment, LCBO turned Ontario VQA from just another local option to an enticing choice by pairing a bold Ontario rallying cry with guided discovery rooted in the LCBO’s most unique brand advantage: in‐store expertise. The campaign spotlighted real product consultants across multiple channels, lending the category credibility and making the LCBO feel like an approachable destination for local exploration. With a flat budget and a short four weeks, the strategy delivered record results: VQA wine sales rose +60% and new-to-category buyers increased +33% vs. last year. Campaign awareness drove +44% higher LCBO community impact perceptions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Supply Chain Transformation
Pet Valu
Supply Chain Transformation
Pet Valu
Pet Valu Holdings Ltd. (“Pet Valu”) undertook a major supply chain transformation from 2022 to 2025, investing over $100 million to modernize and consolidate its distribution network across Canada. This initiative aimed to support long-term growth, improve operational efficiency, and advance sustainability and employee experience.
Awards of Distinction
Retailer of the Year
Longo's
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 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