Independent categories are open to independent convenience retailers operating 10 stores or fewer, whether or not they are affiliated to a symbol/franchise group. Entries should be for a single store unless otherwise stated.
Best Use of Technology – Independent
This award recognises operators who can demonstrate best-in-class use of technology within their business, whether that be online grocery retailing, digital marketing and social media, or in-store technologies such as shelf-edge labelling, self-checkout, media screens and payment apps.
Chilled Retailer of the Year – Independent
This award recognises excellence in the retailing of chilled produce in-store, creating an offer that helps the business stand out from the crowd.
Drinks Retailer of the Year – Independent
This award recognises excellence in the area of beers, wines and spirits retailing – either within a stand-alone off-licence or an independent convenience store featuring a significant drinks offer. The winner will be a retailer that can demonstrate strong progress across the off-licence category.
Food-to-go Retailer of the Year – Independent
This award recognises retailers who can demonstrate excellence in the field of food-to-go (including hot and cold drinks) within an independent convenience store setting. Entries must be for a single store.
Forecourt Retailer of the Year – Independent
This category is open to independently owned forecourt stores that are either standalone or form part of a chain of 10 stores or fewer. Entrants must own the freehold/lease of the site, not just the franchise.
Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year – Independent
The winner of this category will demonstrate success, innovation and creativity in the fresh produce category over the past 12 months.
Independent Community Retailer of the Year
The Independent Community Retailer of the Year accolade recognises and rewards independent convenience retailers who are actively involved in their communities, looking at how a business works within the community for mutual benefit.
Independent Retailer of the Year
This is the blue-riband award for independent retailers, recognising the best of the best in the small stores sector. Entrants may be either members of a symbol/fascia group or non-affiliated
Most Improved Store
This award is open to all independent convenience retailers, affiliated or non-affiliated. Judges will be looking for clear evidence of positive developments over a maximum two-year period to 1 April 2022
Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of the Year – Independent
This award recognises a specific initiative by a grocery retailer aimed at improving the sustainability of its operations and/or enabling its customers to shop in a more environmentally friendly way.
Newcomer of the Year
The Newcomer of the Year award is designed to recognise some of the brightest rising stars in the independent convenience sector. The award is open to anyone who has joined the sector within the past two years (to 1 April 2022).
Post Office Retailer of the Year – Independent
This category is for owners of independent convenience stores, including those belonging to a symbol/franchise group, whose outlet includes a post office counter or combination till.
Store Manager of the Year – Independent
This award is open to store managers of independent convenience stores. Applicants should be employees rather than business owners. Managers may nominate themselves, or store owners may submit an entry on behalf of their store manager.
Store Team of the Year – Independent
This award is open to teams working in individual, independently owned convenience stores
Trailblazer of the Year
The Trailblazer of the Year award recognises up-and-coming talented individuals or pioneering businesses operating within the UK grocery retail sector.
