Retailers delivering standout services across a range of complementary categories at the RG Retail Excellence Awards 2026 have been announced this week…
The finalists have been revealed in four articles in a bid to shine a light on the people and teams working behind the scenes to build praiseworthy brands and retailers. Today, we publish the full shortlist.
The winners will be announced at the RG Retail Excellence Awards on 14 October 2026 at The Underglobe, beneath Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s Southbank. Congratulations to all our finalists, who are:
Beauty Retailer of the Year
Six businesses have been shortlisted for Beauty Retailer of the Year, celebrating the retailers and brands delivering compelling products, engaging experiences and innovative approaches to customer loyalty.
The finalists are:
- Sephora UK
- Boots
- Noli
- P.Louise with LoyaltyLion
- Superdrug
Brand Partnership of the Year shortlist
Seven collaborations are in the running for Brand Partnership of the Year, with finalists spanning fashion, toys, entertainment, food and destination retail.
The shortlisted partnerships are:
- JoJo’s “Let Them Roam” spring kidswear campaign with Godstone Farm — JoJo Maman Bébé
- Lush and Super Mario Bros — Lush
- Peppa Pig and Hamleys — Hamleys of London
- The Puppet Company and Hamleys — The Puppet Company
- Trafford Centre and JD Sports — Trafford Centre
- Lidl with Mumsnet and Liberty X — Lidl
- Krispy Kreme and Cadbury — Krispy Kreme
Christmas Ad of the Year shortlist
Three campaigns have been shortlisted for Christmas Ad of the Year, one of retail marketing’s most closely watched seasonal categories.
The finalists are:
- Shark Beauty and John Lewis
- Argos
- The Very Group
Digital Team of the Year shortlist
Six teams are in the running for Digital Team of the Year, which celebrates the people behind successful online platforms, apps, customer programmes and ecommerce experiences.
The finalists are:
- Argos
- Harding Retail
- Wickes
- Lush Club app
- LeMieux Insiders
- Taste Odyssey
Digital Initiative of the Year shortlist
Eight projects have been shortlisted for Digital Initiative of the Year, showcasing the range of technologies and ideas being introduced across retail.
The finalists are:
- Ready on Arrival (ROA) — McDonald’s UK & Ireland
- Video Diagnostics initiative — Currys
- Paul Smith partnership with Ingrid — Paul Smith
- Digital transformation with PMC — Ann Summers
- MPOS — AllSaints
- Footasylum with Zipline — Footasylum
- FoundIt! — B&Q
- The Very Group initiative — The Very Group
Fashion Retailer of the Year shortlist
Five retailers have been shortlisted for Fashion Retailer of the Year, representing a mix of digital-first businesses, established brands and independent retail platforms.
The finalists are:
- Goddiva
- ICANIWILL (ICIW)
- Wolf & Badger
- EVEREVE with LoyaltyLion
- Seasalt Cornwall
Homeware Retailer of the Year
Four businesses have been shortlisted for Homeware Retailer of the Year, recognising retailers that have delivered standout products, service and customer experiences within the home and interiors market.
The finalists are:
- OKA Direct Limited
- Dreamland Bedding Centre
- Next Home
- Home Furnishings
HR Excellence Award shortlist
Four retailers have been shortlisted for the HR Excellence Award, which celebrates businesses delivering outstanding people strategies and creating positive working environments.
The finalists are:
- DB Shoes Limited
- Morrisons
- Krispy Kreme
- Timpson
Lifetime Contribution Award shortlist
Five leading retail figures have been shortlisted for the Lifetime Contribution Award, recognising individuals whose careers have made a lasting and significant impact on the industry.
The finalists are:
- David Denton, director of DB Shoes Limited
- Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, and Doug Perkins CBE, co-founder and chairman of Specsavers
- Sue Lockey, co-founder and chief executive of The Puppet Company
- Sir John Timpson, director of Timpson
Marketing Team of the Year shortlist
Three businesses have been shortlisted for Marketing Team of the Year, recognising the teams creating impactful campaigns, strengthening brand identities and building closer relationships with customers.
The finalists are:
- Hamleys of London
- Trafford Centre
- Space NK
New Store of the Year
The New Store of the Year award recognises outstanding retail spaces that deliver memorable customer experiences, strong visual concepts and a fresh approach to physical retail.
This year’s shortlist includes destination stores, travel retail, specialist boutiques and new formats from some of the industry’s best-known names.
The finalists are:
- The Black Farmer, White City
- Decathlon UK, IKEA
- Harding Retail, Palm Pals
- WHSmith, Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
- Sports Direct, Liverpool
- Boots Fragrance Boutique, Broadgate Central, east London
- B&Q TradePoint, Barking
Own Brand of the Year
Seven retailers and product ranges are in the running for Own Brand of the Year.
The award recognises businesses that have developed distinctive, high-quality own-brand products that strengthen customer loyalty and stand apart in competitive markets.
The finalists are:
- Space NK
- Sephora Collection
- The Best
- Ruff’s Recipes
- iD Mobile
- Deluxe
- Premium OL Pasta
Physical Activation & Retail Media Award shortlist
Six campaigns have been named as finalists for the Physical Activation & Retail Media Award.
The category celebrates campaigns that use stores, pop-ups and physical retail environments to create compelling customer experiences and bring marketing ideas to life.
The finalists are:
- Disney Lip, Superdrug unit — Beiersdorf Nivea
- Life Is For(e)play — Ann Summers
- Beyond the Bottle — Space NK
- Pop-up retail experience at Future Stores — SHEIN
- Clarins Double Serum Foundation — John Lewis
- Party Season: From Midnight to Morning Light — The Very Group
Retail Excellence Diamond Award shortlist
The Retail Excellence Diamond Award celebrates outstanding achievement across the sector, recognising businesses that have demonstrated excellence, ambition and a commitment to raising standards in retail.
The 2026 shortlist features businesses spanning technology, telecommunications, home improvement, entertainment, fashion and travel retail.
The finalists are:
- Frasers Plus
- EE
- Harding Retail
- Temu
- B&Q
- Hamleys of London
- Wickes
- Currys
Rising Talent Award shortlist
Five emerging retail professionals have been named as finalists for the Rising Talent Award.
The award recognises individuals who are already making a meaningful contribution to their organisations and demonstrating the potential to become influential leaders within the sector.
The finalists are:
- Alexander Emmanuel-Jones, commercial director at The Black Farmer
- Helin Tu, creative product strategy and brand direction consultant at EssilorLuxottica
- Adam Seabrook, commercial business analyst at Wayfair
- Martin Snewin, project manager at Currys
- Natalia Narloch, senior buyer for soft drinks and crisps at Morrisons
Supply Chain Initiative of the Year shortlist
Eight projects have been named as finalists for Supply Chain Initiative of the Year.
The award recognises programmes improving the efficiency, resilience and sustainability of retail supply chains, from global sourcing and logistics to store operations and technology-led planning.
The shortlisted initiatives are:
- Global Supply Chain Programme — Costa Coffee
- Four Retail Outbases — Currys
- One Best Way — Currys
- Paul Smith partnership with Ingrid — Paul Smith
- Footasylum partnership with invent.ai — Footasylum
- TPP Retail & Harding+ — Harding Retail
- Temu — Temu
- The Krill to Protect the Penguins — Holland & Barrett
Sustainable Retailer of the Year shortlist
Six businesses are in the running for Sustainable Retailer of the Year, celebrating retailers taking meaningful action to improve their environmental and social impact.
The finalists are:
- Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery
- Wolf & Badger
- Holland & Barrett
- B&Q
- Our Co-op
- Seasalt Cornwall
Women in Leadership Award shortlist
Nine senior leaders and founders have been shortlisted for the Women in Leadership Award.
The award celebrates women who are making a significant impact through their leadership, vision and contribution to their businesses and the wider retail sector.
The finalists are:
- Billie O’Connor, chief financial officer at Mulberry and founder of NOVA Community
- Sonica Beckmann, chief executive of House of Kind (London) Limited
- Simone Oloman, chief executive and founder of Need It For Tonight
- Maëlle Gasc, co-founder and deputy chief executive of Noli
- Kasey Swithenbank, head of UK and Ireland retail at Lush
- Carina Hummel, managing director of optics at Specsavers
- Sue Lockey, co-founder and chief executive of The Puppet Company
- Carey Pearson, head of brand and integrated marketing at Wayfair
- Victoria Jenkins, chief executive and founder of Unhidden
The shortlisted individuals and businesses will join leading figures from across the sector at the RG Retail Excellence Awards 2026.
Taking place on 14 October 2026, the ceremony will bring together retailers, brands, suppliers, entrepreneurs and industry decision-makers for an evening celebrating achievement across the retail landscape.
Guests at The Underglobe will enjoy a drinks reception, a three-course sit-down dinner and live entertainment in a refined setting beneath the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe.
The event will also provide opportunities to network with some of the brightest minds in the industry and celebrate the businesses and individuals helping to make retail one of the UK’s most dynamic sectors.
Partners for the RG Excellence 2026 include Scala, Cvent, Acopia, Daikin Diebold Nixdorf and JCDecaux, as well as Elisium and Smart Works.
Find out more about the RG Retail Excellence Awards and secure your place at the ceremony here.
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