Australia’s leading retailers, teams and industry leaders have been named finalists in the 2026 ARC Retail Awards, marking the return of the industry’s premier awards program for the first time under the Australian Retail Council (ARC).
The awards return for the first time since 2024 following the amalgamation of the Australian Retailers Association and National Retail Association to form the Australian Retail Council.
Finalists across 15 categories reflect the breadth, innovation and resilience of Australia’s $444 billion retail sector, recognising excellence in customer experience, leadership, sustainability, marketing, people and culture, store design and small business retailing.
ARC CEO Chris Rodwell said the calibre of entries demonstrated the strength and dynamism of the sector.
“The return of the Retail Awards under the Australian Retail Council banner is an exciting moment for the industry, and a chance to celebrate the retailers, teams and individuals setting the benchmark for excellence across Australia,” Mr Rodwell said.
“This is the first time the awards have been held since 2024, and the response from the industry has been exceptional.
“The standard of entries was high, and the quality, innovation and passion on display across the submissions speaks volumes about the strength of Australian retail.
“From major national brands to independent small businesses, these finalists represent the very best of a sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and plays such an important role in communities across the country.”
Mr Rodwell thanked American Express, principal partner of the ARC Retail Awards.
“We are grateful to American Express for their continued support of our retail community and their commitment to recognising excellence across the retail industry in partnering with us on these awards,” he said.
2026 ARC Retail Awards finalists
Retail Excellence Awards
People & Culture Excellence
- Coco Republic
- Amart
- Coles
- Naked Wines
DE&I Excellence
- Bunnings
- Coles
- Home Hardware Kununurra
- Kmart
Sustainability Excellence
- IKEA Australia
- The Salvation Army
- Woolworths Group
- Vinnies Queensland
- Coles
Store Design Excellence
- Telstra
- BIG W
- Petbarn
- Kmart
Customer Experience Excellence
- Coles
- Bed Bath N Table
- QBD Books
- Petbarn
Marketing Campaign Excellence
- Bunnings
- Coles
- Petbarn
- David Jones
- Naked Wines
Retailer of the Year Awards
Shop Small Retailer of the Year
- Claude and Me
- Simply for Strings
- Sticky Vinyl Australia
- Millers Benalla
Medium Retailer of the Year
- Savers Australia
- QBD Books
- Go Vita
- Bed Bath N Table
Major Retailer of the Year
- Bunnings
- Repco
Franchisee Retailer of the Year – Winner to be announced on Awards night
Online Retailer of the Year – Winner to be announced on Awards night
Retail Leader Awards
Retail Leader of the Year
- Callum Wilson (Woolworths)
- John Colledge (Petbarn)
- Peta Granger (QBD Books)
- Rebecca Whale (Boardriders)
Retail Team of the Year
- Customer Fulfilment Centre (Coles)
- Kirra Surf (Boardriders)
- Woolworths Rose Bay
Store Manager of the Year
- Jessica Lees (Woolworths)
- Elizabeth Szirt (Coles)
- Kirsty Greig (Vinnies Queensland)
- Cassey Robertson (QBD Books
- Tulli Duiker (Boardriders)
Rising Star of the Year – Winner to be announced on Awards night
Winners will be announced at the 2026 ARC Retail Awards in Melbourne on June 11. Secure tickets here.