Excellence in Retailing Awards     STORE Conference     Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards

PRESENTING SPONSOR

BUY TICKETS

2026 WINNERS

Congratulations to the Excellence in Retailing Award winners on their incredible commitment to superior customer service, progressive business solutions, and operational leadership.

E-COMMERCE EXPERIENCE

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.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

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.

 

IN-STORE EXPERIENCE AND DESIGN

Canada's Shipping Destination

Staples Canada

Canada's Shipping Destination

Staples Canada

Staples Canada is proud to introduce Canada’s Shipping Destination, a brand new shipping concept that debuted in 10 of our stores in 2025. Our shipping business is growing, as we offer in store packing and shipping services with multiple carriers, returns for Amazon and Pudo, and also package pick up in select stores. This new concept unlocks our growth opportunity via a custom built destination in store catered entirely to the shipping customer, while still reflecting our brand promise of making things easy.

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.

LOSS PREVENTION

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.

OMNI-CHANNEL

PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP

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.

POP-UP EXPERIENCE AND DESIGN

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.

RETAIL MARKETING

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.

 

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.

SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATIONS

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.

IN-STORE MERCHANDISING

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.

TALENT DEVELOPMENT

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.

Contact

RCC Sponsorship team at rccsponsorship@retailcouncil.org
RCC Events team at events@retailcouncil.org

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