This year, 35 trophies will be handed out at the evening ceremony, with sponsors including AlixPartners, PayPal UK, KPMG and Uber Eats. The industry partners for the awards, which have this year attracted a record number of entries, include many returning sponsors, including SHS Group, Allwyn and Boughey Distribution

The Grocer Gold Awards 2025 take place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 8 July. This year, 35 trophies will be handed out at the evening ceremony, with sponsors including AlixPartners, PayPal UK, KPMG and Uber Eats. The industry partners for the awards, which have this year attracted a record number of entries, include many returning sponsors, including SHS Group, Allwyn and Boughey Distribution.

Online Service of the Year – sponsored by PayPal

Multinational online payment system PayPal is sponsoring Online Service of the Year. Sean Douglas, senior director, PayPal UK, said: “As online grocery shopping evolves with increasing demand for speed, convenience, and personalisation, we look forward to this year’s award ceremony and celebrating fmcg’s greatest brands.”

Online Service of the Year finalists

 

Store Manager of the Year – sponsored by Uber Eats

Online food and takeaway delivery service Uber Eats is sponsoring Store Manager of the Year. Alex Troughton, regional general manager, grocery & retail – EMEA at Uber Eats said: “Store managers are the unsung heroes of the grocery industry, delivering exceptional customer service, inspiring teams, and adapting to meet evolving consumer needs. We’re proud to sponsor the Store Manager of the Year award, recognising those who go above and beyond to set new standards for excellence in grocery retail.”

Store Manager of the Year finalists

 

Independent Retail Chain of the Year – sponsored by Allwyn

Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, is sponsoring Independent Retail Chain of the Year for the second year. Jenny Blogg, operations director, said: “Independent stores are the cornerstones of their local communities. They provide a multitude of services and are continuously innovating the in-store experience. We are delighted to be supporting this brilliant category again in 2025.”

Independent Retail Chain of the Year finalists

 

Sustainability Initiative of the Year (Corporate) and Sustainability Initiative of the Year (Products & Services) – sponsored by GS1 UK

GS1 UK is sponsoring both sustainability initiatives of the year, separately recognising corporate and products and services.

Chris Tyas, chair, GS1 UK, said: “We believe collaboration and standardisation play a crucial role in building more sustainable and resilient supply chains. By shining a light on these innovators, we hope to inspire the wider industry to accelerate progress towards a more sustainable future.”

Sustainability Initiative of the Year (Corporate) finalists

  • Booker Group – Fleet decarbonisation and logistics efficiency
  • Chetan Wholesalers  – Sustainability Initiative
  • Co-op  – Bramhope net zero transition and low carbon heating store
  • Global Brands – Introduction of energy efficiency technologies at the Global Brands distribution centre
  • The Midcounties Co-operative – Empowering Innovation: A member-led sustainability strategy
  • Retail Insight with Southern England Co-op – AI contributing to its ESG goals of clients

Sustainability Initiative of the Year (Products & Services) finalists

  • Bord Bia – AgNav
  • Future of Food - The future of food competition
  • Global Salmon Initiative – ESG Feed Risk Assessment Tool
  • Ocado – Online reuse system
  • Sinclair – T55: A dual certified home and industrial compostable fruit label
  • Weetabix – Weetabix net zero carbon wheat
  • Wildfarmed – Life-changing bread
 

Symbol/Franchise Retailer of the Year – sponsored by SHS Group

Household brands and drinks supplier SHS Group is the sponsor for Symbol/Franchise Group of the Year. Paul Gillow, group CEO, SHS Group, said: “We are proud to continue our longstanding sponsorship of The Grocer Gold Awards, a flagship event that shines a spotlight on excellence, innovation and leadership across the food and drink sector. Our ongoing support reflects our commitment to recognising the people and organisations driving progress and setting new standards within the industry.”

Symbol/Franchise Retailer of the Year finalists

  • Dual Branded Stores Bestway Retail
  • Londis
  • One Stop
  • Premier
  • SimplyFresh and SimplyLocal
 

Technology Initiative of the Year – sponsored by KPMG

KPMG is the sponsor for Technology Initiative of the Year. Linda Ellett, partner, head of consumer, retail and leisure, KPMG UK, said: “We see the transformative impact technology can have on our clients in the grocery sector; by improving the customer shopping experience, driving productivity and helping with better decision making. Congratulations to everyone nominated!”

Technology Initiative of the Year finalists

  • Deliveroo
  • Henderson Technology – EDGEPoS by Henderson Technology
  • Focal Systems and Morrisons Supermarkets
  • Polytag & Interket UK
  • Shopt
  • VusionGroup – EdgeSense
 

Drinks Brand of the Year – sponsored by Encirc

Glass container manufacturer and bottle filler Encirc is sponsoring the Drinks Brand of the Year. Rob Turvey, sales and marketing director of glass, says: “At Encirc we make, move and fill glass. We are proud of the part we play in helping drinks brands be successful, and this award recognises outstanding achievement.”

Drinks Brand of the Year finalists

  • Birra Moretti
  • Brothers Cider 
  • Cruzcampo
  • Estrella Damm
  • Jubel Beer 
  • Mother Root
 

Soft Drinks Brand of the Year – sponsored by Boughey Distribution

Boughey Distribution is the sponsor for Soft Drinks Brand of the Year, for the third year running. Boughey Distribution’s commercial director, Emma Fitzsimons, says: “The dynamic soft drinks market has seen significant growth in the last 10 years with the emergence and evolution of the functional beverage category driving it forward. Innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within the soft drinks industry have most definitely driven growth.”

Soft Drinks Brand of the Year finalists

  • Daily Dose
  • Hip Pop
  • Mogu Mogu
  • Pepsi
  • Plenish
  • The Turmeric Co
  • Trip
  • Unrooted Drinks
 

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by VusionGroup

Commerce tech company VusionGroup is the sponsor for the Entrepreneur of the Year. Roy Horgan, VusionGroup’s SEVP strategy, marketing and communications, said: “Entrepreneurship is in our DNA, so sponsoring Entrepreneur of the Year feels like a natural alignment with our core values. We champion those who challenge the status quo, solve real-world problems, and build future-ready businesses. These are the individuals shaping the future of retail and that’s a future we’re deeply invested in.”

Entrepreneur of the Year finalists

  • Alex Wright and Jack Scott, Dash Water
  • Amelia Christie-Miller, Bold Bean Co
  • Barty Walsh, Ordo
  • Olivia Ferdi & Daniel Khoury, Trip
  • Scott Davies, Hilltop Honey
  • Thomas Robson-Kanu, Innate-Essence
 

National Wholesaler of the Year – sponsored by Aqua Carpatica

Premium water supplier Aqua Carpatica is sponsoring National Wholesaler of the Year. Alina Balatchi-Lupascu, PR & trade comms director UK & Ireland, said: “As a brand committed to excellence and sustainability, we are honoured to celebrate the visionaries shaping the future of wholesale.”

National Wholesaler of the Year finalists

  • Bestway Wholesale
  • Booker Group
  • Brakes (Sysco GB)
  • Creed Foodservice
  • JJ Foodservice
 

Supplier of the Year and Grocer of the Year – sponsored by AlixPartners

Global consulting firm AlixPartners is sponsoring Supplier of the Year Award and Grocer of The Year. Andy Searle, EMEA leader of consumer product, partner and managing director, AlixPartners, says: “We are committed to supporting excellence and innovation across the retail and consumer products industry, which is why we are proud to sponsor these awards.

”We look forward to recognising this year’s champions and celebrating the outstanding achievements of companies that are thriving in an age of disruption, delivering exceptional results, and adapting to the evolving needs of consumers.”

Supplier of the Year finalists

 

The Grocer 33 Awards – sponsored by Assosia

The Grocer 33 Awards is an annual competition with three awards handed out: price, customer service and availability. The Grocer’s technology partner Assosia, that powers this unique service with a price and promotion platform and bespoke mystery shopper software, sponsors the three awards.

Managing director Kay Staniland said: “We are completely invested in the delivery of the Grocer 33, and work very closely with the team to ensure the competition remains as vital and relevant as ever, with further changes introduced this month to inject further excitement into the weekly mystery shopper competitions and reflect the importance of self-checkouts in modern shopping. We are thrilled to support these magnificent awards and look forward to working with The Grocer for many years to come.”

 

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