Retail NZ Celebrates Excellence At The Retail NZ Awards 2025

Retail NZ is proud to announce the winners and highly commended finalists of the Retail NZ Awards 2025, recognising outstanding contributions across design, innovation, sustainability, customer experience and online retailing.

“Retailers across Aotearoa continue to inspire us with their creativity, commitment and customer focus. The calibre of this year’s finalists and winners is exceptional, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements,” Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says.

“These Awards highlight the incredible work being done in communities nationwide and the vital role retail plays in our economy.”

Retail has faced many challenges, but these Awards remind us of the passion and innovation that continue to drive the sector forward, Ms Young says.

“Congratulations to all our winners and finalists — you are shaping the future of retail in Aotearoa.”

The Retail NZ Awards 2025 are supported by Foodstuffs North Island, The Warehouse Group, ServiceIQ, OneMusic, Mastercard, Bluestar, Finance Now and Retail Academy.

Retail NZ Awards 2025 Winners and Highly Commended

Lifetime Contribution Award, supported by Retail Academy

Mary Devine, Chief Executive, Foodstuffs South Island
Over decades of leadership, Ms Devine has shaped retail practices, elevated industry standards, and inspired innovation across New Zealand’s commercial landscape.

She has been described as a transformative leader across major retail organisations including Ballantynes, EziBuy, Hallenstein Glassons, and Foodstuffs South Island.

She has served on numerous Boards, and has also been involved in groups and charities that have been able to benefit from her considerable retail experience.

Judges said she is an outstanding nominee who has driven transformation across multiple retailers and boards. Her leadership is exceptional and inspiring. She is a role model for young women in retail.

OneMusic Best New Store Design Award

Winner: Normanby Fine Wine and Spirits
Normanby Fine Wine and Spirits’ brand new store in Mt Eden, Auckland, is a groundbreaking concept blending wine retail, a café, tasting room, and curated art and furniture. It redefines wine shopping as a relaxed, immersive experience.

Judges said: “Exceptional, groundbreaking, ambitious – a café, retail, wine bar and integrated event space. A brilliant example of an offer reimagined and executed with real skill. Every detail is engaging, yet casually graceful.”

Highly commended: Untouched World
Untouched World’s new store in Newmarket, Auckland, is a serene, sensory-rich space inspired by Newmarket’s history and Māori heritage. Designed with natural materials and cultural storytelling, it reflects the brand’s values of sustainability and craftsmanship.

Judges said this is a beautiful retail space that sits seamlessly alongside core brand values — authentic, natural materials, purpose, place and indigenous New Zealand. It is the Untouched World brand in physical form.

Innovation – Best Use of Technology Award, sponsored by Finance Now

Winner: Foodstuffs North Island
Foodstuffs North Island has pioneered facial recognition technology to combat retail crime, with strong privacy safeguards and stakeholder engagement. The trial has improved safety and set a benchmark for responsible FRT use in New Zealand retail.

Judges said: “This trial of facial recognition technology truly is nationally game-changing and will, over time, keep both staff and customers safer. FSNI’s leadership in FRT is innovative and courageous.”

Highly commended: Palmers
Palmers’ mobile app features gamified rewards, plant ID tools, and supplier-integrated promotions. It’s a hit with younger gardeners and has driven loyalty, engagement, and sales.

Judges said it’s a beautifully designed app that fills a gap in the market, and is showing strong results.

Online Store of the Year Award, sponsored by Bluestar

Winner: Preen
Preen is a Timaru-based fashion retailer with a heart. Their online store thrives on community, live styling sessions, handwritten notes, and a generous returns policy. Customers feel like family — and the results show it.

Judges said Preen’s passion for their customers is clear. Preen demonstrates an uncommon customer focus. This is retail with heart.

Sustainability Leadership Award, supported by Mastercard

Winner: Mitre 10 New Zealand
Mitre 10 New Zealand’s custom-built Sustainability Dashboard empowers stores to track and improve environmental performance. It’s driving engagement, competition, and measurable progress across the co-operative.

Judges said this is a really good approach — you can’t fix what you don’t measure. The project is having wide-reaching effects and creates strong potential for culture change.

Highly Commended: Woolworths New Zealand
Woolworths’ 185 stores are laser-focused on achieving 90% diversion of food waste from landfill. This initiative is part of a wider “Reducing Hunger and Food Waste” goal within their 2025 Sustainability Plan.

Judges said this is a valuable project with strong social impact and a data-driven approach. This is mahi that will educate and endure.

ServiceIQ Customer Service Experience of the Year Award

Winner: The Sleep Store
From its infancy, this online retailer’s aim has been to put the customer first and provide a supportive experience for all parents. The Sleep Store’s “Love Our Customers” project spans live chat, sleep advice, fast dispatch, and inclusive product development.

Judges said: “Their customer obsession is evident in every detail — from fast dispatch to expert support and community engagement. This is a customer-obsessed team delivering excellence across every touchpoint.”

Highly Commended: Normanby Fine Wine and Spirits
As a new business, Normanby Fine Wine and Spirits has put in place a people-first strategy with expert staff and curated offerings.

Judges said this retailer is offering an authentic, curated experience supported by passionate experts. They are a clear leader in fine wine retail.

© Scoop Media