NACS European Convenience Retail Awards: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the NACS European Convenience Retail Awards?
The NACS European Convenience Retail Awards recognise and promote convenience retailing excellence in Europe and provides retailers with the opportunity to showcase their innovation and creativity to the global retailing community.

Who can enter the NACS European Convenience Retail Awards?
Convenience and fuel retailers from European countries may submit entries. (Supplier partners and advertising, design and PR agencies are welcome to submit entries on behalf of their retail partners, but they must have the approval of the retailer for which they provide services.)

What are the award categories?
Convenience and fuel retailers can showcase their innovation and leadership in four prestigious award categories:

  • Convenience Retailer of the Year – Our globally recognised honour recognises the most innovative and successful European convenience and petroleum retail store of the year. The winner earns the accolade of “the best convenience store in their region” This award honours flagship stores that break new ground and set new innovative standards for the industry. All-sized businesses can enter and entries can refer to broader initiatives or format roll-outs in a wider business. Successful entries will focus on one particular store as the central showpiece.
  • Convenience Industry Leader of the Year – Industry progress is not only driven by innovative companies, but by the energies, determination and inspiration of the individuals who lead them. This award recognises and honours the contribution of the most successful and influential European convenience industry leader of 2022.
  • Convenience Retail Sustainability Award – This award recognises a retail company that has pursued a significant and compelling sustainability initiative that creates positive social outcomes and produces lasting value for customers, employees and our industry.
  • Convenience Retail Technology Award – This award recognises a convenience or fuel retail brand that has made far-sighted, long-term investments in technology innovation to achieve operational efficiencies and/or improve the customer experience. The technology innovation must have a proven business growth model and sustained, repeatable results. The solution cannot be a working prototype. 

What are the award submission deadlines?
All award entries are due 15 April 2022.

Are there any fees for entering?
There are no fees to enter the NACS European Convenience Retail Awards.

What are the entry requirements?

Award On Site Contact/Nominee Description of success in award area Powerpoint overview of solution or success High res photos of nominee or solution 2-5 Minute video of nominated store
Retailer of the Year
Industry Leader of the Year Optional Optional
Retail Sustainability Award Optional Optional
Retail Technology Award Optional Optional


Who are the judges?
Each year, the International Grand Jury is comprised of leading global convenience retailers, business and industry experts from NACS, subject matter experts, and representatives from the NACS International Board of Directors, which might include leaders from well-known retail brands such as FreshStop, Migrolino, Shell and 7-Eleven, as well as supplier leaders from Coca-Cola, Mondelēz, and BAT.

How are award winners selected?
The judges use a rubric consisting of the following criteria to evaluate each submission and select an award winner:

  • Leadership and management of the initiative
  • Customer engagement with the solution
  • Impact of the initiative on organizational performance, financial performance or the customer experience
  • Degree of creativity, uniqueness and innovation exemplified by the initiative  

What tips should I keep in mind for developing a “winning” awards entry?
Convenience retailers, their suppliers or their customers are invited to nominate European convenience retailers that are pursuing noteworthy and meaningful business initiatives. In each confidential submission, the advocating organization should share a proven business case. The submission must include supporting justification as to:

  • Why the convenience retailer deserves to be recognised
  • What makes the initiative truly innovative and differentiated
  • How leadership and management of the initiative is conducted
  • How the retailer has demonstrated a company-wide commitment to the initiative
  • What the impact of the initiative has been to organizational performance, financial profitability or the customer experience
  • How customers have interacted with the solution

While fun, the submission development process can take time to complete. So, begin early. You will need to collect and provide photos and evidence that will make your submission standout from the competition. Keep in mind that only complete submissions will be judged.

There are other industry award programs, why should we enter the NACS European Convenience Retail Awards? What are the benefits?
The NACS European Convenience Retail Awards program is recognised by your peers and partners across the globe for its prominence and selectiveness. An award win heightens your credibility as an industry leader and elevates your brand’s profile as an innovative trailblazer.

Whether you win or are one of our esteemed participants, you will receive unparalleled global exposure and visibility through trade, national and international media coverage. Winners will receive:

  • Recognition in NACS and Insight Research social, print and digital publications, which collectively reach an audience of 50,000+ global retailers, and various industry trade publications to extend the news even further.
  • International press release announcing all award winners.
  • Recognition in the International Club at the NACS Show.
  • And most importantly, celebrating your victory with global retailers, suppliers and colleagues at the NACS Convenience Summit Europe!
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