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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With Its Newly Redesigned Montréal Store, the SQDC Puts In-Store Advice at the Heart of the Customer Experience
Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)
With Its Newly Redesigned Montréal Store, the SQDC Puts In-Store Advice at the Heart of the Customer Experience
Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)
As Quebec’s only legal cannabis retailer, the SQDC carries a unique responsibility. After seven years of operating within a highly regulated framework, it set out to rethink how its stores could better support dialogue, trust and informed decision‑making. The redesigned Montréal location embodies this shift, placing human advice at the centre of the in‑store experience while remaining consistent with the SQDC’s mandate.
Supporting Canadian Farmers with Duck's Unlimited Canada
Loblaw Companies Limited
Supporting Canadian Farmers with Duck's Unlimited Canada
Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is proud to submit our initiative focused on sustainable plastic packaging, driven by the Golden Design Rules (GDRs) for Plastics Packaging as defined by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). This initiative encompasses significant conversions within our control brand (President’s Choice, no name, etc.) and in-store plastic packaging.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Luxury in Langley: Elegance in Appliance Retail Design
Midland Appliance
Luxury in Langley: Elegance in Appliance Retail Design
Midland Appliance
With over 40 years specializing in luxury appliances, Midland Appliance has earned its reputation as BC’s premier appliance retailer through an unwavering commitment to quality, expertise, and a highly personalized shopping experience. Building on this legacy, Midland introduced its Langley Showroom — setting a new standard for appliance retail design.
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.
The Art of Home
Silk & Snow
The Art of Home
Silk & Snow
In October 2025, in the heart of downtown Toronto, home retailer Silk & Snow showcased its first experiential marketing experience: The Art of Home. In partnership with experiential marketing agency Mosaic, Silk & Snow created an immersive art gallery experience that transformed our thoughtful, intentional design process into sensory-driven installations and invited the city to experience the brand in a new light.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Real Sleep Campaign
IKEA Canada
Real Sleep Campaign
IKEA Canada
To prove IKEA Canada’s mattress quality, we launched the Real Sleep campaign – a clever, multi-layered effort challenging the idea that a great night’s sleep comes with a premium price tag. We started by capturing attention with late-night DMs targeting people up scrolling when they should have been sleeping and later proved our comfort in the most convincing way possible: real people, caught on camera, talking in their sleep. The campaign resonated with Canadians, driving visitation and sales while cementing IKEA as a credible destination for high-quality, affordable mattresses.
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.
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