The Retail Council of Canada has named Deb Craven as the 2026 Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year, recognizing her leadership during a period of significant growth and transformation for Longo’s and the broader grocery retail sector.
The award honours retail leaders who demonstrate business success, innovation, industry leadership, and community involvement. Craven will receive the honour at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala during RCCSTORE26, Retail Council of Canada’s annual retail conference taking place June 2-3 at the Toronto Congress Centre.
Craven joined Longo’s in 2019 as Chief Financial Officer before becoming Chief Operating Officer and later President in May 2023. Her appointment marked a milestone for the company, as she became the first woman and first non-family member to lead the family-founded Ontario grocery chain.
Before joining Longo’s, Craven held senior leadership positions with Purolator, Nike, and Canadian Tire Corporation, building experience across retail operations, logistics, and brand management.
Longo’s Expansion and Grocery Transformation
Longo’s has undergone substantial operational growth in recent years as grocery retailers continue adapting to evolving consumer expectations, digital commerce, and supply chain pressures. The company, which operates stores across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, has also expanded its e-commerce capabilities through its relationship with Empire Company Limited, which acquired a majority stake in Longo’s in 2021.
According to Retail Council of Canada, Longo’s has achieved significant milestones under Craven’s leadership, including new store openings, the doubling of its distribution centre capacity, and the transition of Grocery Gateway customers to the Voilà online grocery platform.
“Deb Craven is the kind of leader who makes everyone around her better,” said Kim Furlong in the announcement. “She brought financial leadership and operational excellence to Longo’s at a pivotal moment in the company’s history, and she has led it through a period of remarkable growth.”
Retail Council of Canada also highlighted Craven’s involvement in community and non-profit organizations. She has served on the boards of The Learning Partnership, Sagesse, and Kids Help Phone, and currently serves as a board member of The Grocery Foundation.
Recognition at Canada’s Largest Retail Conference
The Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala is one of the Canadian retail industry’s highest-profile annual events and forms part of RCCSTORE26, which will bring together retail executives, brands, and industry leaders from across North America.
The Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year award has previously been presented to leaders including George Soleas, Greg Hicks, and Paul Wood.
Craven’s recognition comes at a time when Canadian grocery retailers continue investing heavily in store modernization, digital fulfillment, and operational efficiency as competition intensifies across the sector. For Longo’s, the award also reflects the company’s ongoing evolution from a regional family grocer into a modern retail business with growing digital and operational scale.
