NGA Broadcasts 2026 Inventive Alternative Awards Winners

Program Supported by Cheez-It and Unilever, Acknowledges Finest Advertising and marketing and Merchandising Applications within the Impartial Grocery Trade

Washington, D.C. – The Nationwide Grocers Affiliation (NGA), the nation’s main commerce affiliation representing the impartial grocery store trade, together with sponsoring companions Cheez-It and Unilever, has introduced the winners of the annual Inventive Alternative Awards that will likely be offered throughout The NGA Present (February 1-3) on the MGM Grand Convention Heart.

The awards, which acknowledge the highest advertising and merchandising packages within the impartial grocery trade, will likely be offered throughout a Unilever & Cheez-It–sponsored session on February 1.

“Impartial grocers proceed to lift the bar for what’s potential in advertising and merchandising,” stated Laura Unusual, NGA Chief Communications & Engagement Officer & SVP. “This yr’s Inventive Alternative Awards winners exemplify the innovation, creativity, and group connection that outline our trade. From daring digital engagement to immersive in-store experiences, these impartial grocery shops aren’t solely assembly as we speak’s buyers the place they’re however constructing lasting loyalty and driving significant development by way of progressive and distinctive advertising and merchandising campaigns.”

2026 NGA Inventive Alternative Merchandising Award Winners

Native, Specialty & Rising Merchandise

• Retailer with 15 Shops or Much less:
  Bianchini’s Market — “Love Native: A Style of Place”
• Retailer with Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Coborn’s — Beer Brats with Fortress Hazard Brewery

Recent Innovation

• Retailer with 15 Shops or Much less:
  Edwards Meals Large — Recent Innovation (Meals Service)
• Retailer with Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Freson Bros. — Hatch Chile Season

Heart Retailer & Past

• Retailer with 15 Shops or Much less:
  Pruett’s Meals — “$5 Greenback Friday”
• Retailer with Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Coborn’s — Banner Program

Personal Label Excellence

• Retailer with 15 Shops or Much less:
  Dwelling Recent Market — Growing Personal Label Gross sales
• Retailer with Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Fareway Shops — Actually Yours

Cross-Division Merchandising

• Retailer with 15 Shops or Much less:
  H.G. Hill — “Peach Paradise”
• Retailer with Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Coborn’s — Fall Pageant

2026 Inventive Alternative Advertising and marketing Award Winners

Digital Excellence & Omnichannel Engagement

• 15 Shops or Much less:
  Pruett’s Meals — “$5 Greenback Friday”
• Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Massive Y Meals — “Nonetheless a Pahty” Massive Recreation Marketing campaign

Built-in Campaigns & Innovation

• 15 Shops or Much less:
  Clark’s Market — “Clark’s Perks”
• Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Fareway Meat & Grocery — AI-Pushed Retailer Go to Marketing campaign

Group Engagement & Celebratory Milestones

• 15 Shops or Much less:
  Pontiac Road Market — “Pack 2 Faculty”
• Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Houchens Meals Group — Clendenin Save A Lot Grand Opening

Multicultural Engagement

• 15 Shops or Much less:
  Teloloapan Meat Market — “30 Years Rising With Our Group”
• Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Sendik’s Markets — Ethnic Festivals Partnership

Model & Expertise Development

• 15 Shops or Much less:
  Dorothy Lane Market — “Be a A part of the DLM Expertise”
• Extra Than 15 Shops:
  Freson Bros. — “Way forward for Alberta Meals”

From the class winners, one “Excellent Marketer” and one “Excellent Merchandiser” will likely be chosen by the impartial grocery store group and their supporters by way of on-line voting, open now by way of February 1 at 6 AM. Votes will be forged right here.