CELEBRATE THE CHANGE MAKERS

Why Nominate?

Nominations are now OPEN
All submissions are due on June 23, 2023

Recognize, honor and show gratitude to the team that works so hard to innovate on behalf of the environment and the future of sustainable retail.

Use public endorsements, editorial coverage and respected accolades to build credibility as a sustainability-first brand.

Demonstrate your company's commitment to innovation and the future of sustainable business practices.

Build morale and galvanize your team around the importance of their work.

Showcase your corporate leadership with meaningful editorial coverage and profiles of your stand-out leaders.

Leverage your win to attract top talent by demonstrating that working with you, their dedication and commitment will be recognized and will help drive meaningful innovation and change.

As a winner, RIS News and Retail Leader will work with your brand to promote your success. As part of your entry, you will receive the winner's logo, press release templates, social media exposure and, of course, a trophy.

DO YOU KNOW A QUALIFIED CANDIDATE?

RIS News and Retail Leader are in search of the innovators and change makers who have made sustainability an integral part of how they do business for our first annual Retail Sustainability Awards.  The awards celebrate excellence in leadership and implementation of sustainable business practices within the retail ecosystem.

Ideal Candidates are companies or individuals who meet the following criteria:

  • Companies are either Retailers or Consumer Goods Manufacturers
  • Individuals are shining stars in their company and in the industry
  • They have completed innovative and outstanding work in advancing sustainable business practices

 

Ideal Nominators are:

  • Executive leadership
  • Corporate leaders who wish to recognize and celebrate their teams
  • Initiative partners (e.g. retailer or consumer goods manufacturers working together to drive change)
  • Technology partners
  • Communications / public relations partners
  • Advertising partners


SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JUNE 23, 2023

2023 AWARD CATEGORIES

CORPORATE AWARDS

The Retail Sustainability Corporate Awards celebrate retailers and consumer goods manufacturers who are putting sustainability at the front of their business practices. Through responsible and forward-thinking strategies, these companies are positively impacting the environment, building brand loyalty and enhancing lifetime value. 

DETAILED AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Retail Sustainability Leadership Award
Awarding a retailer and/or consumer goods manufacturer who has clearly demonstrated that sustainability is a core business objective.

Specifically, this award will celebrate a company who is truly pioneering new ways to meet their sustainability goals in ways that are impactful, measurable and feasible over the long-term. 

  • Be sure to include quantifiable data and details of financial / time investments that support these initiatives.
  • Also highlight any supporting organizational or governance frameworks that demonstrate commitment to sustainability objectives.
  • Actions over the past several years will be considered, but focus will be on efforts and results demonstrated in 2022 / 2023.


Retail Sustainability Initiative of the Year
Celebrating an organization that has launched or completed a major initiative, product or service that significantly improves their corporate sustainability or provides eco-friendly market alternatives.

This award recognizes a company's innovation in the area of retail sustainability. The process, product or service much now be an integrated part of the core business strategy and must raise the bar relative to existing ways of doing things and/or competitive products.

  • Be sure to provide quantifiable data to demonstrate the impact of this new initiative within the company and/or the retail industry.
  • Winning entries will explain the challenge that was identified, the process of ideating a new solution and how that idea was ultimately developed and delivered.
  • Actions over the past several years will be considered, but heavy emphasis will be placed on the efforts and results demonstrated in 2022 / 2023.

Retail Sustainability Partnership Award
Showcasing innovative collaborations between two organizations who have worked together to address a key environmental or social issue. 

As retail leaders transform their supply chain into holistic integrated network focused on value creation and improved sustainability, the importance of inter-organization collaboration has never been more important. This award recognizes organizations who are partnering together to create circularity and connectedness that drive sustainable outcomes.

  • Be sure to explain the companies involved and how their partnership evolved. Was this a new initiative or did it build upon a pre-existing working relationship?
  • Explain what challenge was identified and how the organizations worked together to identify a solution or a new way of working together. 
  • Please demonstrate how the new initiative was adopted by both organizations and what new ways of working / communicating were required to fully execute the new initiative.
  • Finally, be sure to include measurable data that demonstrates the overall impact  on each organization, their long-term strategy, the retail industry and the environment.

Supply Chain Team of the Year
Recognizes an innovative team that shares a clear purpose and works collaboratively to develop and execute new ideas and/or processes to effect sustainable change. 

As retail leaders transform their supply chain into holistic integrated network focused on value creation, sustainability is an essential pillar. This award celebrates a supply / value chain team that shares a common vision, drives progress and makes a positive impact on the environment by leveraging new strategies, technologies and innovative ways of working.

  • Please be sure to describe the team organization and culture and how it has contributed to the successful evolution of the supply chain and positive environmental impact
  • Explain what environmental challenge was identified and how the team worked together to develop and implement a strategy, technology or new way of working to drive change.
  • Finally, be sure to include measurable data that demonstrates the overall impact  on the company's sustainability objectives and the environment.

Retail Sustainability Technology Implementation Award
Celebrating a retailer or consumer goods manufacturer who has successfully leveraged technology to help drive sustainability within their organization.

New and emerging technologies are having a transformative impact on the environment and the future of the sustainable retail. This award honors a company has embraced innovation and technology to help address a critical sustainability challenge. 

  • Be sure to identify the environmental challenge that had been identified and how the team research, adopted and integrated new technology to improve the company's environmental impact.
  • Include quantifiable data and details of financial / time investments that support these initiatives.
  • Also highlight any supporting organizational supports and/or partnerships that contributed to the success of the technology implementation 
  • Actions over the past several years will be considered, but focus will be on efforts and results demonstrated in 2022 / 2023.

Retail Sustainability Transparency Award
Recognizing a company who has clearly demonstrated the importance of up-front, honest and transparent communications about their company's impact on the environment and their sustainability programs.

Responsible sustainability leadership requires clear communication with key stakeholders, partners and customers - including both the good and the bad. This award recognizes a company that has embraced proactive communication strategies, both within their organization and across the value chain. 

  • A successful entry will provide relevant and timely examples of corporate communications that demonstrate the company's commitment to open, honest and transparent communications.
  • The communications should clearly explain the company's objectives, current performance and strategic plans for continued improvement and/or measurement tools or frameworks the company is using to hold themselves accountable.
  • Communications over the past several years will be considered, but focus will be on communication efforts from 2022 / 2023.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Positive and impactful change is often driven by forward-thinking, passionate leaders who use their resources and influence to ensure a better future for all. The Retail Sustainability Individual Awards celebrates the unique talents of these leaders and showcases how they are helping to shape the future of sustainable retail.

DETAILED AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Retail Sustainability Leader of the Year
Celebrating a senior sustainability leader who inspires their team, drives progress and is focused on delivering impactful long-term growth. 

Retail Sustainability Trailblazer of the Year
Honoring an individual non-executive team member who is passionate about the environment and whose new ideas and contributions have had a notable impact on their company's sustainability efforts.