The Convenience Awards 2026 takes place on 11 March at the Rum Warehouse at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool. As well as recognising and celebrating the best of the convenience community, it’s also an opportunity to rub shoulders with the very best of the sector.
Powered by Convenience Store, Lumina Intelligence and The Grocer, this year’s awards can’t happen without the generosity of the sponsors, and we took some time to ask why they’re involved and the importance of supporting the convenience sector.
Arla Protein is proud to be sponsoring the convenience awards in 2026. With dairy protein shoppers overindexing in convenience channels, and the ‘grab & go’ nature of our products like yogurt pouches, milkshakes, and pots with spoons being ideal for on the move shoppers, this year we want to work even more closely with our convenience partners to grow their sales by offering their shoppers a great range of tasty, nutritious products for all occasions.
The UK convenience sector is unique compared to other markets – it’s made up of so many independent stores, chains, and individuals across the country putting in dedication and passion to make the magic happen – so it’s important to us to recognise this, and celebrate the innovation and ideas that are creating the future of convenience.
My favourite part of a face to face event is the unexpected conversations that occur – the chance to meet wonderful new people, and both leaving having shared ideas and learned more about eachother’s world – which is ultimately what leads to progress and innovation!
Amy Punchard, Brand Manager Beverages, Arla Foods
Booker is delighted to once again be sponsoring the Convenience Awards 2026 – an celebration that brings together the very best retailers and operators across the convenience market. As the UK’s largest food and drink wholesaler, we are proud to support thousands of independent retailers nationwide, including those operating under our symbol brands of Premier, Londis, Budgens and Family Shopper. Sponsoring the ‘Independent Convenience Store of the Year’ category is particularly important to us, as it celebrates the dedication, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of independent retailers who work tirelessly to serve their local communities every day.
The convenience sector plays a vital role in communities across the UK, providing not only essential products but also local jobs and a strong sense of community connection. Events like the Convenience Awards are an important opportunity to recognise the innovation, hard work and commitment that retailers demonstrate every day. Celebrating these achievements helps shine a spotlight on best practice across the sector and reinforces the crucial role independent convenience stores play in meeting the needs of their customers.
One of the best parts of a face-to-face event is the opportunity to connect with retailers and industry partners in person. It’s a chance to hear their stories, celebrate their successes and strengthen relationships across the convenience sector. Bringing everyone together in one room to recognise outstanding achievements creates a fantastic atmosphere and reminds us why the industry is so special.
Colm Johnson, Managing Director of Booker Retail
We’re proud to support an event that celebrates the retailers driving momentum in the convenience sector. As the sector continues to evolve at pace, this partnership reflects our commitment to helping retailers unlock category growth, offer products that strengthen bottom lines, and meet changing shopper needs.
Not only is the convenience sector productive and a channel that we greatly value as both a brand as a business, we love how pivotal a role it plays in communities and how dynamic and innovative it can be. We love to see the recognition of excellence that celebrates hard‑working retailers but also highlights best practice, sparks new ideas, and raises standards across the entire channel.
You get much more energy and creativity being in the room with the fantastic retailers, colleagues and brands. It’s a chance to share insights, hear what they’re experiencing, and build the special relationships that keep the channel moving forward.
Victoria Gregory, Head of Trade Engagement, Carlsberg Britvic
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is proud to sponsor the Convenience Awards 2026 to celebrate and recognise the hard work, passion and dedication of retailers across the convenience sector. These retailers play a vital role in their local communities, providing essential products and services, and we’re committed to championing the people who keep the sector thriving.
Acknowledging the sector through events like the Convenience Awards is important because it shines a light on the significant economic and social value convenience retailers bring to their communities. Recognition helps build pride, raises awareness of the sector’s contribution, and encourages continued innovation and excellence. It also strengthens the partnership between brands, retailers and suppliers by celebrating shared success.
Face-to-face events offer a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with retailers, suppliers and industry partners. Being in the same room allows for genuine conversations, idea‑sharing and collaboration in a way that simply can’t be replicated virtually. Seeing the energy, passion and creativity of the sector firsthand is always a highlight — and often sparks new partnerships and opportunities.
Kate Abbotson, Senior Manager External Trade Communication, CCEP
Visit Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Co-op Wholesale is proud to sponsor the Outstanding Contribution to Convenience award because it recognises the individuals who have dedicated their careers to shaping and strengthening the convenience sector. Our industry is built on passionate retailers, innovators and leaders who go above and beyond for their customers and communities. Supporting this award is our way of celebrating those people and acknowledging the lasting impact they have had on the sector.
The convenience sector plays a vital role in communities across the UK, providing essential services, local employment and a strong connection to neighbourhoods. Events like the Convenience Awards shine a spotlight on the innovation, resilience and commitment shown by retailers every day. Recognising these achievements not only celebrates success but also inspires the industry to continue evolving and delivering even more for customers and communities.
Face-to-face events create an energy that’s hard to replicate. They bring together retailers, suppliers and partners from across the sector to share ideas, celebrate achievements and build meaningful relationships. Our favourite part is the opportunity to connect with people in person, hearing their stories, learning about what’s working in their stores and celebrating the success of the industry together.
Mondelez International are delighted to be sponsoring the Store Team of the Year category at the Convenience Awards. We believe passionately that the convenience sector provides great services to local communities and shoppers. The awards help highlight the great work retailers and their teams do in support of their local areas.
The convenience sector deserves recognition for the amazing services and facilities that retailers and their teams provide their local communities; awards such as these provide an important mechanism for independent stores to shine and share the great work they are doing with the rest of retail community , helping spread great retailing ideas.
Awards events such as the Convenience Awards provide an important opportunity for the trade to learn from each other, as well as allowing us all to connect and celebrate the great work going on in the sector.
Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager for Mondelēz International
Nomadic makes real food more available for people on the front lines of life and it’s time we celebrated that with the convenience industry, being such an important part of our business.
The Convenience Awards shine a light on the entrepreneurs that make up the backbone of local communities, often overlooked in favour of major grocery retail. Events like these reinforce the importance of sector’s vital economic and social impact to society.
My favourite part of a face-to-face event are the moments where real relationships are built and honest insights shared. That human energy and spontaneous exchange cannot be replicated any other way.
Jacob Donohoe, Trade Marketing Manager, Nomadic
Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I is committed to supporting all areas of the sector, and this includes celebrating those going above and beyond. This year’s Convenience Awards will be a fantastic evening to celebrate not only award-winning retailers and emerging industry disruptors, but everyone who works so hard to strive for excellence in retail.
Innovation driving success is a huge part of what we stand for at Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I. The convenience sector is well aligned to this, continuously adapting and striving for success in what is often a challenging environment – it is vital we recognise this.
The Convenience Awards is a highlight of the year for us, it provides a great opportunity to talk directly to retailers and continue to broaden our understanding of the challenges being faced day-to-day, enabling knowledge sharing, collaboration and the chance to strengthen relationships.
We at Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I are very much looking forward to catching up and celebrating with everyone on the night!
Michael Doxey, Sales Controller, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I
Visit Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I
At Unisnacks, the convenience channel is central to our business and our future growth. We have long-standing relationships with independent retailers, and convenience operators across the UK, and we see sponsorship of the Convenience Awards 2026 as a clear statement of our commitment to the sector. It’s an opportunity to support the retailers who drive performance at store level, while reinforcing Unisnacks’ role as a reliable, long-term partner to the convenience channel.
The convenience sector operates in a highly dynamic and demanding environment, requiring constant adaptability, investment and resilience. From Unisnacks’ perspective, recognising excellence through events like the Convenience Awards is essential to acknowledging the leadership, operational discipline and customer focus that underpin successful convenience retailing. Formal recognition not only celebrates achievement, but also encourages higher standards, innovation and sustainable growth across the sector.
Face-to-face events provide Unisnacks with the opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers and industry leaders in a focused, high-quality environment. They enable open, meaningful conversations, strengthen strategic relationships and offer valuable insight into the challenges and priorities shaping the sector. These interactions are critical to building trust, alignment and long-term partnerships.
Hyder Haniffa, CEO Unisnacks & Reza Samsudeen, Non-Executive Director, Unisnacks
You can now secure your tickets to the Convenience Awards 2026!
Join us on 11 March in Liverpool to celebrate the entire convenience community.
See this year’s finalists and book your seat here.
