Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced on Tuesday the 70 finalists, from across 11 competitive categories, who will vie for the highly coveted 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards (ERA).
From captivating in-store experiences and standout marketing campaigns to innovative supply chain solutions and forward-thinking sustainability initiatives, this year’s finalists prove that innovation in Canadian retail is not just alive—it’s thriving, said the RCC.
“This year’s entries raised the bar across every category. The innovation we’re seeing in-store, online, and in back-end operations, is a powerful testament to the creativity and resilience of retailers in Canada. Despite ongoing economic headwinds, supply chain hurdles, and global uncertainty, these finalists continue to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in retail,” said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada.
2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards finalists by company (listed alphabetically) are:
- Atlas Tools & Machinery
- Bell
- Best Buy Canada
- Canada Goose
- Canadian Tire Corporation
- Cannabis Xpress
- Corbeil Électroménagers
- Empire Company Ltd.
- Endy
- Farm Boy Company Inc.
- Federated Co-operatives Limited
- Giant Tiger Stores Ltd.
- Home Hardware
- IKEA Canada
- Indigo Books & Music Inc.
- LCBO
- Le Groupe Aldo Inc.
- Lee Valley Tools
- Lindt Canada
- Loblaw Companies Ltd.
- Longo’s
- Metro Inc.
- Midland Appliance
- Nespresso Canada
- Pattison Food Group
- Pet Valu Canada
- Purdys Chocolatier
- Rexall Pharmacy Group
- Rogers Communications Canada Inc.
- RONA
- Sephora Canada
- Sobeys Inc.
- Société québécoise du cannabis
- STACKT Market
- Staples Canada
- Starbucks Coffee Company Canada
- Summer Fresh
- The Home Depot Canada
- Value Village Stores Inc
- Vancouver Aquarium
- Walmart Canada
The winners will be revealed at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala on June 3 at the Toronto Congress Centre. Awards of Distinction recipients and students who have earned scholarships through RCC’s Retail Education Scholarship program will also be honoured.
“Capping off the first day of RCCSTORE25, Canada’s premier retail conference, the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala will celebrate the industry’s top performers. Taking place June 3–4, 2025, RCCSTORE25 will feature 75+ expert speakers and draw retail leaders from across North America and beyond, explained RCC.
Retail is Canada’s largest private-sector employer with over 2.3 million Canadians working in the industry. The sector is a major economic contributor, generating more than $93 billion annually in wages and employee benefits. In 2024, core retail sales (excluding vehicles and gasoline) exceeded $507 billion. RCC members account for more than two-thirds of these core retail sales and 95 per cent of the grocery market. The RCC membership extends across the country, embracing over 54,000 storefronts in diverse formats such as department, grocery, specialty, discount, independent retailers, online merchants, and quick service restaurants.
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