Explore our diverse awards categories, open to all types of retailers, including this year’s new Customer Service Award celebrating excellence in customer experience.
Entries for the Elavon Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2026 are now open!
Explore our diverse awards categories, open to all types of retailers, including this year’s new Customer Service Award celebrating excellence in customer experience.
This award honours an Irish retail business that has demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and leadership. The recipient will have consistently delivered outstanding customer experience, shown a commitment to continuous improvement, and stood out for their ability to adapt and grow in a competitive retail environment. Like our 2025 winner, Windyridge Nurseries & Garden Centre, the winner will represent the highest standard in Irish retail - combining operational excellence with a clear brand vision, strong team culture, and meaningful customer connection. The National Retailer of the Year is selected from the winners of each award category. Award categories are subject to change based on the nature and variety of entries received - these cover all sectors of retail:
Phase 1: Nominations & Entries >> OPEN 09/03/2026 >> CLOSE 15/04/2026
⭐SHORTLIST Announced 20/04/2026
Phase 2: Mystery Shop : Registration >> OPEN 20/04/2026 >> CLOSE 01/05/2026
⭐Top 100 Announced 15/06/2026
Phase 3: Top 100 Registration : OPEN 15/06/2025 >> CLOSE 22/06/2025 📅Submission Deadline: 13/07/2026
⭐Top 30 Announced 31/07/2026
Phase 4: Top 30 Store Visits : From 24/08/2026
Winners: Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
You can enter the National Retailer of the Year Awards or the Independent Store of the Year Award, but not both.
Phase 1: Entry: Free
Phase 2: Mystery Shop: €135.00
Phase 3: Submission: €225.00
Celebrating stand-out independent retailers who deliver exceptional customer experience and innovation. This award honours those setting benchmarks in creativity, community engagement, and retail excellence.
Phase 1: Nominations & Entries >> OPEN 09/03/2026 >> CLOSE 15/04/2026
⭐SHORTLIST Announced 20/04/2026
Phase 2: Mystery Shop : Registration >> OPEN 20/04/2026 >> CLOSE 01/05/2026
⭐Top 20 Announced 15/06/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Registration : OPEN 15/06/2025 >> CLOSE 22/06/2025 📅Submission Deadline: 13/07/2026
⭐Top 5 Announced 31/07/2026
Phase 4: Top 5 Store Visits : From 17/08/2026
Winners: 🏆 Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Eligibility to the enter the Independent Store of the Year Award, requires the company: - have a maximum of 2 stores - have 15 employees or less per store You can enter the Independent Store of the Year Award or National Retailer of the Year Awards or but not both.
Phase 1: Entry: Free
Phase 2: Mystery Shop: €135.00
Phase 3: Submission: €225.00
The winner of the Customer Service Award will demonstrate excellence in customer engagement, product knowledge, problem resolution, service consistency, and measurable customer satisfaction within their retail environment.This award celebrates teams who go above and beyond to create a welcoming, customer-first environment that drives loyalty and trust.
Phase 1: Entries >> OPEN 09/03/2026 >> CLOSE 29/05/2026
Phase 2: Mystery Shop : Takes place between 06/04/26 - 08/06/26
⭐SHORTLIST Announced 15/06/2026
Phase 3: Submission; OPEN 15/06/2026 >> CLOSE 22/06/2026 📅Submission Deadline: 13/07/2026
Top 5 Announced 31/07/2026
Winners: 
Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Open to all Irish retailers, regardless of size or sector.
Phase 1: Entry Fee: €135.00
Awarding digital retail teams driving growth, innovation, and seamless online experiences. This category celebrates collaboration, agility, and commercial success in eCommerce.
Phase 1: Entries: OPEN 09/03/2026 >> CLOSE 27/04/2026
Phase 2: Submission: OPEN from date of entry >> CLOSE 11/05/2026
Top 5 Finalists Announced 6/07/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Presentations: BEGIN 20/07/2026
Winners: Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Phase 1: Entry: €295.00
Recognising excellence from small online retailers making a big impact in digital retail. Agility, customer focus, and growth are at the heart of this award.
Phase 1: Entries: OPEN 09/03/2026 >> Entries CLOSE 27/04/2026
Phase 2: eCommerce Reviews : BEGIN 05/05/2026 >> END 19/06/2026
⭐Top 5 Finalists Announced 6/07/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Presentations: BEGIN 20/07/2026
Winners: 🏆Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Entrants turnover per year: up to €1 million
Phase 1: Entry: €295.00
Celebrating mid-sized eCommerce businesses that combine scale with creativity and strong performance. This award honours digital excellence and customer satisfaction.
Phase 1: Entries: OPEN 09/03/2026 >> Entries CLOSE 27/04/2026
Phase 2: eCommerce Reviews : BEGIN 05/05/2026 >> END 19/06/2026
⭐Top 5 Finalists Announced 6/07/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Presentations: BEGIN 20/07/2026
Winners: 🏆Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Entrants turnover per year: up to €5 million
Phase 1: Entry: €295.00
Awarding high-performing online retailers setting the standard for innovation, logistics, and experience. A category for digital leaders shaping the future of online retail.
Phase 1: Entries: OPEN 09/03/2026 >> Entries CLOSE 27/04/2026
Phase 2: eCommerce Reviews : BEGIN 05/05/2026 >> END 19/06/2026
⭐Top 5 Finalists Announced 6/07/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Presentations: BEGIN 20/07/2026
Winners: 🏆Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Entrants turnover per year: greater than €5 million
Phase 1: Entry: €295.00
Recognising up-and-coming talent who are already making waves and looking to carve their career in retail. This award celebrates passion, potential, and early impact. This person should be currently a team member and not in a management position.
Phase 1: Entries >> OPEN 09/03/2026 >> Entries CLOSE 13/04/2026
Phase 2: Submission from receipt of entry >> 📅Submission Deadline:11/05/2026
⭐Top 5 Finalists Announced 22/06/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Interviews : BEGIN 06/07/2026
Winner: 🏆 Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Entrants must not be in a supervisory or management role.
Phase 1: Entry: €135.00
Celebrating long-standing team members who make a big difference every day. This award honours the person who has had a positive influence on your business through their dedication, reliability, and quiet excellence.
Phase 1: Entries >> OPEN 09/03/2026 >> Entries CLOSE 13/04/2026
Phase 2: Submission from receipt of entry >> 📅Submission Deadline:11/05/2026
⭐Top 5 Finalists Announced 22/06/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Interviews : BEGIN 06/07/2026
Winner: 🏆 Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Entrants must not be in a supervisory or management role.
Phase 1: Entry: €135.00
Honouring retail managers, currently managing a retail store, who inspire their teams and deliver exceptional business results. This award recognises leadership, drive, and operational excellence.
Phase 1: Entries >> OPEN 09/03/2026 >> Entries CLOSE 13/04/2026
Phase 2: Submission from receipt of entry >> 📅Submission Deadline:11/05/2026
⭐Top 5 Finalists Announced 22/06/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Interviews : BEGIN 06/07/2026
Winner: 🏆 Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Entrants must be currently successfully managing a retail store.
Phase 1: Entry: €135.00
Honouring retailers leading the way in sustainability, ethics, and community impact. This award recognises those committed to doing good while doing great business. We invite all retailers, whether they feel their sustainable action is small or large, to apply. This Award is about progress over perfection, and we want to recognise the steps Irish Retailers are making towards sustainability.
Phase 1: Entries >> OPEN 09/03/2026 >> Entries CLOSE 13/04/2026
Phase 2: Submission from receipt of entry >> 📅Submission Deadline: 11/05/2026
⭐Top 5 Finalists Announced 02/06/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Presentations : BEGIN 20/07/2026
Winners: 🏆Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Phase 1: Entry: €135.00
Recognising outstanding REI partners who consistently go above and beyond for their retailers. This award celebrates collaboration, reliability, and supply chain excellence.
Phase 1: Entries >> OPEN 09/03/2026 >> Entries CLOSE 13/04/2026
Phase 2: Submission from receipt of entry >> 📅Submission Deadline:11/05/2026
⭐Top 5 Finalists Announced 22/06/2026
Phase 3: Top 5 Interviews : BEGIN 12/07/2026
Winner: 🏆 Announced on Awards Night 10/10/2026
Entrants must be a registered REI Partner.
Phase 1: Entry is included in your partner agreement