The Convenience Awards 2025 takes place on 19 March at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. 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.
Around 40,000+ retailers help make a massive difference to life across the UK day in, day out by selling National Lottery products in their stores – so Allwyn is delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Convenience Awards along with the Responsible Retailer of the Year category. Convenience stores are the cornerstones of their local communities – just as the National Lottery is - providing a multitude of services and continuously innovating the in-store experience. Allwyn is looking forward to recognising and celebrating all nominees and winners at this fantastic event.
Alison Acquaye-Acford, Director of Commercial Partnerships and Retail Sales, Allwyn UK
We are driven by excellence, both in the development of our products and the quality of the consumer experience. So, it’s not only important but a natural fit for VELO to support events such as this within the Convenience sector that shine a bright light on excellence in a key area of that experience.
Celebrating business successes provides powerful motivation for continued excellence in the sector. Like VELO, the convenience sector stands for innovation success. A strong focus on innovation is a major reason for the sector’s successful growth within the retail environment.
It’s vital to recognise the impressive innovation has enabled operators in the convenience sector to adapt within a competitive landscape and tackle its many challenges head on.
We prize these opportunities to talk directly with convenience retailers to help them meet those challenges – and make sure VELO remains the UK’s number one nicotine pouch with consumers.
Face to face events are golden when it comes to creating and building relationships between brands, retailers and suppliers. No amount of digital communication comes close to the first-hand demonstration of new products, packaging and technology, or the chance to share knowledge, collaborate and build potential partnerships to drive the sector forward.
We look forward to meeting new and old friends on the night and celebrating with the best convenience pioneers.
Hashim Tahir, B2B Manager of BAT UK
Bestway Retail is proud to sponsor the Convenience Awards 2025 as these awards celebrate and showcase the hard work, innovation, and dedication of retailers serving local communities. Supporting this event reflects our commitment to empowering retailers, driving industry growth, and recognising excellence within the convenience sector.
It’s enormously important to ‘shine a light upon’ and recognise the convenience sector through events like these that celebrate the dedication, innovation, and resilience of retailers who serve their communities tirelessly daily. At Bestway, we believe that acknowledging and sharing these achievements inspires excellence, drives industry growth, and ultimately strengthens the sector.
At Bestway, our favourite part of face-to-face events like the Convenience Awards is having the opportunity to connect directly with retailers, industry leaders and colleagues. Nothing beats one to one contact! In a world that is increasing digital, these events spark meaningful conversations, celebrate achievements, and inspire collaboration. they also allow us to share insights, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the hard work driving success across the convenience sector. Fundamentally, ‘people buy from people’ and whilst the online metaverse has grown beyond imagination in less than a decade, it can never fully replace the personal touch of meeting and greeting in person.
Dawood Pervez, Managing Director of Bestway
“Our symbol groups are a core part of our business, and we’re delighted to recognise and celebrate the outstanding talent and entrepreneurship of the convenience sector. Celebrating the best of our brilliant industry is important to us at Booker as we know how challenging it can be, and retailers continue to show relentless hard work, commitment and dedication to drive the sector forward. We’ll continue to champion our symbol groups and all independent retailers, and very much look forward to seeing everyone at The Convenience Awards 2025.”
Colm Johnson, Managing Director of Booker Retail
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is sponsoring the Convenience Awards 2025 to celebrate and recognise the hard work and dedication of retailers in the convenience sector. These retailers play an essential role in local communities, offering access to necessary goods and services. Recognising the sector in such a way is important because it helps raise awareness of the value these retailers bring to the economy and the community, while fostering a sense of pride. These events give us the opportunity to connect directly with retailers, suppliers and industry professionals. They are an ideal setting to build relationships, share ideas and collaborate on innovative solutions, all of which can lead to new partnerships and business opportunities.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners spokesperson
Visit Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Convenience stores are at the heart of local communities and play a vital role in helping them thrive. Not only do they offer great services and products tailored to their customer needs, they offer convenience and availability, to help us all with our busy lives. We are proud to be a part of the convenience retailer community and delighted to be able to sponsor the award this year for best new store.
We know, through working with our franchise partners and our own colleagues in store, how much effort it takes to deliver great customer experience and win loyalty, and the convenience sector represents some of the very best in UK retailing. It is important we take time to recognise this commitment and passion, coming together to share best practice, recognise our winners and inspire future success.
Events, like the convenience awards, are a fantastic opportunity to take time out of the busy day-to-day to meet with and learn from fellow retailers who are inspired to build and grow the convenience sector, in a social setting. Seeing the community come together and recognise excellence and innovation is truly inspiring and there are always a few golden nuggets to take back and learn from.
Paul Dobson, Convenience Director at Morrisons
Nestlé is proud to sponsor the Convenience Awards 2025 as a testament to our commitment to supporting the convenience sector, which plays a crucial role in today’s retail landscape. By recognising the exceptional contributions of businesses and individuals within this industry, we celebrate innovation, resilience, and the continuous drive for excellence that defines convenience retailing across the UK.
Events like the Convenience Awards are vital for highlighting the achievements and challenges faced by this sector. They provide a platform for networking, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders. Acknowledging the hard work and dedication of those in the convenience sector not only motivates individuals and teams but also inspires others to strive for excellence.
My favourite part of face-to-face events is the opportunity for genuine connection and conversation. Engaging with peers, sharing insights, and building relationships in person fosters a sense of community that is invaluable. These interactions often lead to meaningful collaborations and innovative ideas that can shape the future of our industry. We look forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements of our peers at the Convenience Awards 2025
Ollie Richardson, Wholesale and Convenience Controller at Nestlé
One Stop is delighted to be sponsoring The Convenience Awards again this year. As the leading event for the convenience sector, the awards are a great opportunity for senior leaders and independent retailers to come together to celebrate what their business has achieved.
The market has been turbulent making life as an independent retailer more complex than ever, however the awards recognise the hard work that goes into achieving excellence, despite the challenges that are presented.
The awards are also an effective way to highlight the exciting innovation and leadership we continue to see in retail, inspiring those who are new to the industry to explore all of the fantastic opportunities there are to build a successful convenience store.
Sponsoring the awards is our way of showing support for those who strive to make a difference and reach the full potential this industry has to offer.
At the event, we are always proud to see the joy of the winners as they accept their awards as well as the heartfelt appreciation from the audience. It really is a warm reminder of what a fantastic industry this is to work in.
Carl Traill, Head Of Franchise Development at One Stop
“We’re thrilled to sponsor the 2025 Convenience Awards because we believe it’s essential to recognise the dedication and creativity that the convenience sector consistently demonstrates. Events like this provide an important platform to showcase the innovation and hard work that keep the industry evolving. Personally, my favourite part of face-to-face events is the chance to engage directly with colleagues and peers, exchange ideas, and celebrate the collective achievements that drive us forward.”
Tony Owen, General Manager of Rollover
We’re really proud to be sponsoring the awards for 2025 as events like these allow us to celebrate and recognise the achievements of so many convenience stores across the UK. Not only are convenience retailers important pillars of their local communities, but they play a crucial role in getting our beloved brands into the hands of so many consumers.
Recognising the convenience sector through events like these is crucial, as it highlights the significant and ongoing growth in the channel and the impact stores across the UK are having every day. This sector is vital to the UK economy, so we are proud to play a part in celebrating the work of so many incredible retailers. These awards showcase the dedication and innovation within the industry, honouring those retailers who make a difference in their communities and drive the sector forward.
We love any opportunity to spend time with convenience retailers, to not only thank them for their hard work selling our drinks every day, but also celebrating the crucial role they play in their local communities.
SBF GB&I spokesperson
ACTIVATION SPONSOR
Mondelēz International is proud to be the Activation Sponsor for The Convenience Awards 2025. We’re dedicated to helping retailers boost their sales with the right products and display strategies and invest heavily in the sector through the work of our sales force, our extensive display materials and trade facing website snackdisplay.co.uk. These awards align perfectly with our focus on the sector, celebrating and supporting the convenience sector, honouring those who make a meaningful difference in their communities.
It is important to recognise the convenience sector through events like The Convenience Awards because local stores are essential to our communities. They offer personal and unique service tailored to local needs often adapt quickly to changing needs. Celebrating these retailers encourages innovation and improvement. In tough economic times, supporting local businesses keeps neighbourhoods vibrant and resilient, fostering a sense of community and making daily life brighter.
The Mondelēz International team’s favourite part of face-to-face events is the genuine connections they foster. These gatherings allow us to build stronger relationships, engage in meaningful conversations, and share our passion through hands-on experiences like tastings and demonstrations. The energy and creativity sparked by being together in person is truly inspiring, making these events essential for the industry.
Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager for Mondelēz International
Book your ticket to the Convenience Awards 2025 now!
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