Entries are now open for the Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards 2027, with two new categories introduced: Wholesaler of the Year (Under £50 million) and Best Use of Data & Insight.
Now in its 24th year, Achievers remains the only awards programme in Scotland dedicated to the food and drink wholesale sector, recognising excellence across the industry and supply chain.
The new SME-focused category helps showcase the vital role smaller wholesalers play, while the data and insight award reflects the growing importance of technology-driven decision-making.
Following feedback from wholesalers, suppliers and judges, SWA has also refined the judging criteria for 2027. Entries will be assessed on key areas including ordering and delivery, sustainability, use of technology, customer engagement, and how businesses are responding to current challenges.
Independent judges will again play a central role, working alongside supplier judges to identify best practice, with customer interviews expanded to additional categories to strengthen the process.
Following the success of the customer interviews in the Best Cash & Carry and Best Symbol Group categories last year, SWA is also introducing customer interviews for Best Delivered Operation – Foodservice. These will account for 50% of the total possible score.
Once again, the overall winner of each people category – Wholesale Driver of The Year, Rising Star of Wholesale, Employee of the Year, Wholesale Local Food Champion, and Supplier Sales Executive of the Year – will receive £1,000 while there will be £500 awarded to each runner-up and £250 for each highly commended winner.
With 15 wholesale category awards and five supplier awards available, Achievers presents a valuable opportunity for wholesalers to benchmark against their peers, show leadership, and gain recognition for the achievements of their people.
Awards also encompass sustainability and marketing, and there are categories for Best Delivered Operation for retail and foodservice, Best Licensed Wholesaler categories for off-trade and on-trade, Best Symbol Group, and Best Cash & Carry. The Great Place to Work category also returns for 2027.
For suppliers, in addition to Supplier Sales Executive of The Year, there are awards for Best Overall Service, Best Foodservice Supplier, and Best Advertising Campaign. Project Wholesale, meanwhile, rewards the efforts of suppliers and their salespeople in Scotland in growing the wholesale channel through relevant initiatives running for any period during 2026, with entrants invited to meet a judging panel of senior wholesale executives to discuss and present their project.
SWA chief executive Colin Smith said:
“Achievers has continued to evolve over the years in line with industry innovations, trends and challenges – the wholesale food and drink sector in Scotland never stands still and our awards recognise that.
“Since last year’s awards, we have consulted wholesalers, suppliers and judges to review and refine the criteria and judging process, helping us deliver an even stronger awards programme this year. We are also delighted to introduce two new categories that will showcase the importance of small businesses, and the innovative use of data and insight across the sector.
“At SWA, we are working harder than ever, and collaborating with suppliers, government, other industry organisations and stakeholders, to raise awareness of the wholesale sector. Achievers is a key component of that drive to make headlines for our industry.”
Any wholesaler with a depot in Scotland may enter the competition and entries will remain open until Monday, 27July. The entry form, and more information, can be found at https://www.scottishwholesale.co.uk/achievers
Tables for the gala dinner and awards presentation – attended by over 500 people – at the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh on Thursday, 18 February 2027 will be available to book from the end of July via the SWA website or can be booked by contacting: awards@scottishwholesale.co.uk
