Western Grocer Serving the industry since 1916
OCTOBER 27, 2026, TORONTO – Awards for the best merchandising displays in Canadian grocery were presented at Grocery Innovations Canada’s Merchandising Excellence Awards Event on October 27. The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers’ (CFIG) Master Merchandiser Awards Program (MMAP) honours and recognizes best Point-of-Sale merchandising in the grocery industry. It enables retailers and supportive manufacturers the opportunity to stimulate purchase by building effective displays, promotions and events. A total of 15 prizes will be awarded (3 different store size groupings and 5 different merchandising categories).
A panel of experienced industry judges determined category winners based on creativity and visual appeal; effective use of signage; display shopability; effective cross-merchandising; and supporting manufacturer compliance. Merchandising displays, promotions and events were held between August 9, 2025 and August 10, 2026.
First To Market – New Product
Small Surface Gold
IGA West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Moris Espiritu and Team
Supplier – Ben Clarke, Lassonde
Medium Surface Gold
IGA St Pierre, Granby, QC
Tammy Ferland and Team
Supplier – Benoit Bedard, KraftHeinz
Large Surface Gold
IGA Extra Convivio Loretteville 8288, Quebec, QC
Jean-François Dorval and Team
Supplier – Yves Gigault, KraftHeinz
Themed Event
Small Surface Gold
Beausejour Co-op Oakbank, Oakbank, MB
Andrew Grave and Team
Supplier – Donna Van De Walle, Lassonde
Medium Surface Gold
Sherwood Co-op Regina, Rochdale Crossing, Regina, SK
Noel Castillo and Team
Supplier – Michelle Young, KraftHeinz
Large Surface Gold
Save-On Foods – Park & Tilford, North Vancouver, BC
Nav Kandola, Eric Falkenberg, Justin Gaw and Team
Supplier – PepsiCo Foods
Perimeter Display
Small Surface Gold
Central Fresh Market, Kitchener, ON
Ben Pino and Team
Supplier – Dave Farley, Maple Leaf Foods
Medium Surface Gold
Save-On-Foods – Regina South, Regina, SK
Greg Lewis and Team
Supplier – Damara Brown, Lassonde
Large Surface Gold
Save-On-Foods – Chuka Blvd, Regina, SK
Rob Foster and Team
Supplier – Damara Brown, Lassonde
Multi-Manufacturer
Small Surface Gold
Colemans Food Centre – Caribou Road, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
Chad Luedee & Store Team
Supplier – Trevor Legge, Coca-Cola, along with Old Dutch
Medium Surface Gold
Market Street Vulcan, Vulcan, AB
Scott Mitchell & Team
Supplier – Sharon Gower from Saputo, along with General Mills
Large Surface Gold
Calgary Co-op Creekside, Calgary, AB
Wade Fedosenko and Team
Supplier – Deanna Hamilton from Maple Leaf Foods, along with KraftHeinz
Single Manufacturer
Small Surface Gold
Central Plains Co-op Rosetown, SK
Corey Weedmark & Team
Supplier – Carol Rissling, KraftHeinz
Medium Surface Gold
Gardenland Co-op, Winkler, MB
Cam Buhler & Team
Supplier – Jennifer Richter, Nestlé
Large Surface Gold
Save-On Foods – Orchard Plaza, Kelowna, British Columbia
Scott Gilbert & Eric Falkenberg and Team
Supplier – Michael Thacheal, Kevin Kentel, Landon King and Ken McCaffrey, Coca-Cola
Photographs of the winners: Photos of winners for Master Merchandiser 2026 Media
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For inquiries, please contact:
Nancy Kwon
Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG)
E. nkwon@cfig.ca
About the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG)
CFIG is a non-profit trade association founded in 1962, which continues to be a collaborative community, equipping and enabling independent, franchised and specialty grocers for sustainable success. CFIG is the strong and united voice for the independent grocery retailers to Industry and Government across Canada. CFIG also provides programs that support operational excellence while fostering solid relationships among retailers, distributors and suppliers. www.cfig.ca
