Entries are now open for the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards 2027, inviting businesses across the specialist food and drink sector to apply for industry recognition. The awards highlight the shops, teams, and individuals driving standards higher in a market that relies heavily on personal relationships between producers and buyers. The competition focuses on how retailers support local communities and innovate to create distinct shopping experiences. Whether it is investing in staff development, supporting local communities, creating innovative retail experiences or delivering sustainable initiatives, the 2027 awards are seeking businesses that are making a meaningful difference. Retailers can enter themselves free of charge, and industry colleagues, suppliers and customers should encourage any worthy retailers they know to enter.
Streamlined application process
Aubrey Allen dominated the 2026 ceremony, winning three awards including the coveted Retailer of the Year title. The success, according to Butchery Manager Simon Kelly, has translated into tangible growth. “Winning three awards and being Retailer of the Year is the biggest accolade I think any company can get. It’s brought in new business for us. People heard about it. People have started coming and trying our products and coming back time and time again. It’s a big boost for us. We’re proud of our shop and the company we work for. And we take a lot of pride in what we do. And now we’re over the moon, absolutely fantastic!”
To help businesses handle the application process this year, organizers have introduced a two-stage format. The first stage, called the Express Entry, allows potential candidates to submit a brief initial application in less than five minutes. This phase closes at the end of August, after which successful entrants will receive an invitation to provide more detailed information by the end of September. The new system aims to reduce the administrative burden on applicants while still allowing them to present their full case to the judges. This simplified entry process is designed to make entering quicker and more accessible than ever before, reducing time commitment upfront while ensuring retailers can fully showcase what makes their business exceptional to the judges.
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Changes to judging and categories
The 2027 judging panel includes representatives from the retail sector, featuring Aubrey Allen winners Simon Kelly and Russell Allen. They join Chair of Judges Nigel Barden and a range of industry experts to evaluate this year’s entries. Barden emphasized the importance of the awards in a crowded market, noting that being shortlisted offers a valuable endorsement from respected professionals. “In a highly competitive retail setting, standing out has never been more important. The Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards celebrate the businesses setting the benchmark for excellence across specialist food and drink retail. Being shortlisted not only recognises your achievements but also provides a valuable endorsement from a panel of highly respected experts drawn from a wide spectrum of the industry.”
Category updates for 2027 include a new partnership with the Academy of Cheese. The Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards Cheesemonger of the Year winner will receive an Education Package of Academy (Self-Study) Certification worth £500. This addition highlights the specific expertise required in the specialist cheese trade and provides professional development support for winners. For the first time, the Retailer Awards are proud to team up with the Academy of Cheese to support all the amazing cheesemongers across the UK and Northern Ireland.
