The winners of the Retail Industry Awards 2026 were announced last night (22 September) during a ceremony at the Hilton London Bankside. The independent and company-owned category winners have now been revealed.
Technology and Community Recognition
Kislingbury Village Store & Post Office in Northamptonshire won Best Use of Technology – Independent. The judges praised its "strong, practical use of technology for a small independent store." Racetrack Pitstop in Wishaw, Lanarkshire was highly commended.
Mulkerns Eurospar in Newry, County Armagh took the Community Retailer of the Year – Independent title, with judges noting that "this feels like a retailer that says yes whenever the community asks for help."
Drinks and Food-to-Go Winners
Campbell's of Leyburn in North Yorkshire won Drinks Retailer of the Year – Independent, described as "a standout specialist drinks retailer with a great range depth combined with strong curation." Lusty's Centra Larne in County Antrim was highly commended.
In the food-to-go categories, Nisa Local Fletton in Cambridgeshire won for stores under 3,000 sq ft, while Spar Ulceby Cross Services in Alford, Lincolnshire won the over 3,001 sq ft category. The latter also won Forecourt Retailer of the Year – over 3,001 sq ft and Most Improved Store.
Retailer of the Year Categories
Centra Annaclone in County Down won Independent Retailer of the Year – up to 1,500 sq ft. Nisa Local Torridon Road in Lewisham, London won the 1,501 to 3,000 sq ft category, with judges highlighting its "impressive AI-driven CCTV, compliance/security focus, DRS preparation" and community initiatives.
Warner's Supermarkets in Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire won for stores between 3,001 and 6,000 sq ft, while Campbell's of Leyburn won the over 6,000 sq ft category. McCammond Spar Abbots Cross in Newtownabbey, County Antrim was named Post Office Retailer of the Year – Independent.
Individual and Team Awards
Soundari Sivarajah of Nisa Local Orton in Peterborough won the Rising Star Award, with judges noting she "joined in 2025 with no previous convenience retail experience, and has quickly helped to stabilise and improve a struggling store." Charlene Louise Foley of Pant Premier Stores & Kitchen in Merthyr Tydfil won Store Manager of the Year – Independent.
RaceTrack Pitstop Strathclyde in Glasgow won Tobacco Alternatives Retailer of the Year, while Malcolm's Stores in Coventry won both Responsible Retailer of the Year and Store Team of the Year – Independent. Kaual Patel of Nisa Local Torridon Road won Trailblazer of the Year.
In the symbol/franchise categories, Centra NI was named Symbol/Franchise Group of the Year, with Morrisons Daily highly commended. The multiple and company-owned winners were announced separately.
