Next Gen Store Awards

Honoring the brands and retailers redefining the modern in-store experience

The first-ever Next Gen Store Awards will celebrate the innovations reshaping the modern in-store experience. As retail evolves, creating spaces that capture consumer attention through community-building activations, unique store concepts and immersive experiences is more important than ever.

This new awards program will honor the brands and retailers experimenting with in-store technology, innovative store formats and standout activations that are redefining how consumers engage with physical retail. Each category will spotlight a curated group of top entries, showcasing a range of standout work and approaches across the industry.

Planning to submit this year? Learn more about this program with our entry kit.

Entries have closed. Sign up below to receive the shortlist announcement.

Key Dates

  • Entries closed: Sep 04, 2026
  • Announcements coming

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Categories

  • Best In-Store Display in a Retailer

    Awarding the brand with the in-store display that most effectively captured shopper attention, elevated product discovery and enhanced the retail experience through creative design and execution.

  • Best Store Technology

    Awarding retailers that have effectively used technology to improve the in-store experience, streamline operations or connect physical and digital commerce.

  • Best New Store Concept

    Awarding retailers with a new store concept that rethinks physical retail through design, experience and customer engagement.

  • Best Store Activation

    Awarding in-store activations that have driven customer engagement, foot traffic and brand connection through creative experiences or programming.

  • Best Store Pop-Up

    Awarding temporary retail experiences that have driven buzz, customer engagement and brand discovery.

  • Best In-Store Media

    Awarding the retailers that have used in-store media to effectively engage shoppers and influence purchasing decisions through strategic placement, messaging and creative execution.

Judges

  • Ryan Glick
    FOUNDER AND CEO
    CNC AGENCY
  • Rebekah Kondrat
    MANAGING PARTNER
    REKON RETAIL
  • Ivy Zhang
    HEAD OF MARKETING
    SHOPMY
  • Meredith Diehn
    SVP, MARKETING
    GOODWIPES
  • Andy Silva
    MANAGING PARTNER
    PARTY LAND
  • Ivan Kayser
    CEO
    REDSCOUT
  • Spencer LaVallee
    CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
    GUS
  • Marne Franklin
    PRESIDENT
    RINGOFIRE
  • Lindsey Harris
    CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER
    GIGANTIC PLAYGROUND
  • Jesse Unger
    CO-FOUNDER + CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
    SIGNIFICANT