16 July 2026

Retail NZ is pleased to announce our finalists for the 2026 Spark Retail NZ Awards.

The 49 finalists revealed today cover eight awards categories and include stores from right across the motu, from small operators to national powerhouses.

“We were delighted to have such a high caliber of entries this year, and we cannot wait to celebrate the amazing work across retail at our Awards in Auckland on September 3rd,” Retail NZ Chief Executive, Carolyn Young says.

“It is worth noting that we have eight finalists in our NZ Post Young Retailer of the Year category, thanks to the exceptional standard of entries we received. The category was open to individuals aged 25 years and under on 1 March 2026, and we were overwhelmed with outstanding submissions of young retailers already making a difference in their stores, which is incredibly uplifting,” Ms Young says.

There are also eight initiatives in the running for the Knapp Sustainability Leadership Award, which Ms Young says shows just how seriously it is taken by New Zealand retailers.

“Our judges were impressed by both the variety and quality of entries for our Sustainability Leadership Award, with initiatives ranging from electric heavy vehicles to recycling schemes, from ethical product sourcing to power efficiencies,” Ms Young says. “This is one of the most hotly-contested categories, and we cannot wait to share more details about the great work being done in sustainability at the Awards on 3 September.”

All the finalists announced today are in addition to the 41 stores nominated by their customers for the Spark People’s Choice Award, which were previously announced in July. 

“Public voting is well underway for the inaugural People’s Choice Award, with thousands of votes having already been cast,” Ms Young says. “With voting closing on August 16, there’s still plenty of time to have your say, and we’re delighted to see so many people already getting behind their communities and voting for their local favourite.”

Finalists for the Visa Lifetime Contribution Award, which celebrates an individual whose career has profoundly shaped and advanced the retail sector, will be announced alongside the winners of all other categories at the Spark Retail NZ Awards Dinner on Thursday 3 September at the Hilton Hotel on Princes Wharf in Auckland. 

“We’re excited to celebrate the achievements of our finalists and the wider retail sector at what promises to be a glittering night of retail excellence, MCed by the amazing Kerre Woodham. We are looking forward to focusing on the successes of the past year,” Ms Young says.

The full list of finalists can be found below, and on our website here. 

Tickets for the Awards Dinner are now on sale and can be purchased here.

For further information or to set up an interview please contact Carolyn Young on 021 449 452

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