2026 Spark Retail NZ Awards

Retail NZ is proud to announce the winners, runners-up, and highly commended businesses from the 2026 Spark Retail NZ Awards, recognising outstanding contributions across design, innovation, sustainability, customer experience and online retailing.

The 2026 awards have been an amazing opportunity to look back and recognise all the achievements and successes of the sector over the past 12 months. We look forward to bringing back the event in 2027.

Ten award categories celebrated the best of retail, including the Visa Lifetime Achievement Award for extraordinary contributions to New Zealand retail. Among its distinguished recipients were Briscoes CEO Rod Duke, James Pascoe Group founders Anne and David Norman, and the late jewellery entrepreneur Sir Michael Hill. Duke and the Normans were also granted lifetime memberships with Retail NZ.

2026 Spark Retail NZ Awards Winners, Runners-up and Highly Commended Finalists

Annexa Technology Innovation Award
This award recognises retailers’ exemplary use of technology in their business.

• WINNER: The Nile New Zealand 
• RUNNER-UP: Mitre 10 & Team Circle 
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Appetise 
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Woolworths New Zealand 

Mastercard Most Improved Store Award
This award recognises a physical or online store that has made a clear and positive impact on customers, the community, or the wider company.

• WINNER: Unity Books 
• RUNNER-UP: Spark, Lynn Mall
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Homestead 

OneMusic Best New Store Design Award
This award recognises innovation and creativity in store design that will contribute to long-term profitable growth for the retailer.

• WINNER: Rebel Sport, Panmure
• RUNNER-UP: Renaissance, Christchurch 
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Normanby Fine Wines & Spirits, Wellington 
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Spark, St Lukes

IconicAI Online Store of the Year Award
This award recognises an e-commerce retail manager or team that has significantly and positively impacted customers, the community or the broader company.

• WINNER: The Nile New Zealand 
• RUNNER-UP: Book Hero 
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Normanby Fine Wines & Spirits

ServiceIQ Customer Service Experience of the Year Award
This award honours the retailer that excels in providing an exceptional customer experience.

• WINNER: Container Space
• RUNNER-UP: Goody Goodness
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Paulas Home & Living 

Kora Outstanding New Talent Award
This award recognises the most promising new talents in the New Zealand retail sector. Entrants must have worked in the retail sector for less than five years.

• WINNER: Daniel Tollenaar, Nutrition Warehouse
• RUNNER-UP: Trinity Ries, Shopology 

KNAPP Sustainability Leadership Award
This award recognises retailers who are advancing their sustainability efforts through a specific green initiative from the past year.

• WINNER: The Warehouse Ltd. – The Good Drop 
• RUNNER-UP: Foodstuffs North Island – EV Heavy Vehicles 
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Woolworths New Zealand – 100% Cage-free Eggs 

NZ Post Young Retailer of the Year
This award recognises outstanding young talent in the New Zealand retail sector and is open to people aged 25 and under.

• WINNER: Brooke Elliott-Forster-Clampitt, Normanby Fine Wines & Spirits
• RUNNER-UP: Esther Cai, JoyLato 
• HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mya Chaitika, Spark 

Spark People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award is nominated by and voted for entirely by the public.

• WINNER: Book Hero 
• RUNNER-UP: Wally 

Visa Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is the most prestigious accolade and recognises someone whose career has profoundly shaped and advanced the retail sector.

• WINNERS: 
  • Rod Duke, Briscoe Group Managing Director
  • Anne & David Norman, James Pascoe Group founders
  • Sir Michael Hill, founder Michael Hill Jewellers