Tickets have been launched for the Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards 2026 and organisers are encouraging wholesalers and suppliers alike to secure their places for the prestigious industry event in Edinburgh on Thursday, 19th February 2026.

The landmark event, now in its 23rd year, celebrates the wholesale industry across Scotland and rewards outstanding performance as well as the key part it plays in the food and drink supply chain, local economies and wider Scottish economy. Judging is currently under way.

In addition to highlighting best practice and innovation, Achievers exists to recognise the efforts of the dedicated people who work across the wholesale sector in various roles.

With £1,000 going to 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 – in 2026 there will also be £500 awarded to each runner-up and £250 for each highly commended winner.

Returning to the O2 Academy Edinburgh venue, Achievers are the only awards in Scotland dedicated to the wholesale food and drink sector with the gala celebration attended by over 500 people from across the wholesale industry and its supply chain each year.

With 14 wholesale category awards and five supplier awards up for grabs, it’s a great opportunity for wholesalers to gain recognition for their innovation and customer service, raise their profile, and celebrate the achievements of the last year.

Awards also encompass sustainability, marketing and innovation, and there are categories for Best Delivered Operation for retail and foodservice, Best Licensed Wholesaler for off-trade and on-trade, Best Symbol Group and Best Cash & Carry.

Another important category is Wholesale Driver of the Year which has a new sponsor for 2026 – Volvo Trucks, a close partner of the SWA which is working to help the wholesale sector in Scotland navigate a just transition to zero-emission HGVs.

SWA chief executive Colin Smith said: “Keeping the wheels of our industry moving is very much a team effort and we are keen to single out the sterling efforts of the people who bring it all together – people in wholesale who are often the ‘unsung heroes’ of the food and drink industry. That why Achievers celebrates their dedication and commitment to their own businesses and the wider wholesale sector.”

Tables for the gala dinner and awards presentation at the O2 Academy Edinburgh on Thursday, 19 February 2026 can be booked via the SWA website or by contacting awards@scottishwholesale.co.uk

 

Wholesaler awards:

 

Best Delivered Operation – Retail (sponsored by Red Bull)

 

Best Delivered Operation – Foodservice (sponsored by Premier Foods)

 

Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off-Trade (sponsored by Budweiser)

 

Best Licensed Wholesaler – On-Trade (sponsored by Sazerac)

 

Best Marketing Initiative (sponsored by JTI)

 

Great Place to Work (sponsored by Suntory)

 

Best Innovation (sponsored by AG Barr)

 

Sustainable Wholesaler of The Year (sponsored by CCEP)

 

Best Symbol Group (sponsored by PMI)

 

Best Cash & Carry (sponsored by Carlsberg Britvic)

 

Wholesale Driver of The Year (Volvo Trucks)

 

Rising Star of Wholesale (sponsored by KP Snacks)

 

Employee of The Year (sponsored by Pernod Ricard)

 

Wholesale Local Food Champion (sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink & TWC)

 

Supplier awards:

 

Supplier Sales Executive of The Year (sponsored by Unitas)

 

Project Wholesale (sponsored by Orderlion)

 

Best Overall Service

 

Best Foodservice Supplier

 

Best Advertising Campaign