The Categories
There are nine awards in total, culminating in the best individual prize - The Retailers' Retailer of the Year.
Emerging Concept partnered by Bidvest Logistics
This award identifies a fledgling multiple-site format that the Retailers' Academy believes is "hot" and scalable, with a great chance of success.
Best Concept partnered by Bunzl Lockhart
Simply the best trading format in the sector, in terms of consumer proposition and execution. The concept should be of sufficient scale - ie be proven in many different locations - to justify the Best Concept award
The Evolution Award partnered by Pernod Ricard UK
This award is for a trading format that has endured, recognising the huge importance of evolving or repositioning concepts to stay relevant to current consumer demand, in the bar, pub and restaurant market
Best Company partnered by Olswang
This award goes to what the Retailers' Academy believes is the outstanding multiple-site organisation operating in the eating and drinking-out market
Best Venue partnered by Vianet
This is the single outlet prize, awarded to an outstanding UK venue, be it in terms of design, offer, operating format, service or trading performance
Deal of the Year partnered by Barclays Corporate
This prize identifies an acquisition, sale, or financial restructuring within the sector
Investor of the Year partnered by Zonal Retail Data Systems
The second of the two financial prizes, the award is for an individual or company that has a track record of successful investment in the eating and drinking market
Rising Star partnered by Miller Brands
Recognising emerging talent, the Rising Star prize is intended to identify one of the sector's future leaders. This award is always chosen by M&C Report in consultation with the sector's business leaders.
The Fastest Growing Profits Company partnered by Zolfo Cooper
This award tracks companies with the fastest-growing profits within the UK's eating and drinking out sector,
Best Individual - The Retailers' Retailer of the Yearpartnered by Britvic GB
This is the person chosen by the Retailers' Academy - a 800-strong collective of the senior people from the bar and restaurant business - as the outstanding retailer individual of the year.