The Creative Retail Awards are back for 2025, bringing even more excitement and industry recognition! Following a sell-out 2024 event, this year’s Awards continue to evolve, featuring new categories, key industry partnerships, and an enhanced digital experience. 

Billed as the premier platform celebrating excellence in design and display, the Creative Retail Awards honour the most innovative and creative retail spaces, products and campaigns in the industry.

Building on the success of previous years, the Awards have introduced a host of updates for 2025. Reflecting the dynamic nature of modern retail, this year’s categories have been refined and expanded to highlight the most impactful innovations across the retail industry. 

The 21 categories are: 

·  Design Agency of the Year 

·  Creative Collaboration

·  Creative Lighting

·  Festive Display

·  Food, Beverage and Supermarket

·  Graphics

·  Hospitality Design

·  Independent Store (UK ONLY)

·  Instore Scheme

·  Technology

·  Leisure, Visitor/Exhibitor Attraction

·  Omni-Channel Experience

·  POP/POS

·  Pop-Up Store

·  Retail Experience

·  Shopfitting Fit/Out

·  Store Design of the Year

·  Store in Store or Concession

·  Surfaces and Finishes

·  Sustainable Display

·  Window Scheme – Non-Festive

Every category has a drop-down box labelled Read Full Criteria which gives just that. For example, in the case of Independent Store (UK ONLY), it is as follows:

• Innovative Design and Concept: Entries should highlight innovative design elements and unique concepts that set the store apart in the independent retail sector.
• Community Connection and Impact: The store must demonstrate a strong connection to its community, showing how its presence and design positively impact the local environment and residents.
• Distinctiveness Among Competitors: Submissions should illustrate what makes the store distinctive in comparison to competitors, focusing on aspects like design, customer experience, and service offerings.
• Contribution to Local Retail Landscape: The entry should demonstrate the store’s contribution to enhancing the local retail landscape, adding value and diversity to the shopping options available in the community.

With the continued support of an esteemed Advisory Board, the Awards ensure relevance, integrity, and industry-wide recognition. 

The website, www.creativeretailawards.com, now features an improved user experience, offering streamlined entry processes, clear guidance, and an archive of past winners and finalists.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this prestigious event. Submit your entries at www.creativeretailawards.com. The deadline for entries is March 31 and the awards ceremony will be held at a London venue in September.