Retail Council of Canada Expands Grand Prix Awards to Boost Product Innovation
Event summary
- Retail Council of Canada (RCC) announced 88 finalists for the 33rd Annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, representing top food and non-food innovations launched in 2025.
- Three strategic additions to the 2026 awards cycle include third-party product ratings via Caddle, new finalist/winner seals for packaging, and an expanded judging panel with lifestyle/media experts.
- The jury, chaired by Chef Poyan Danesh, evaluated products based on innovation, taste, texture, consumer value, and packaging, with a minimum 70% score required for finalist status.
- Winners will be announced at the June 3, 2026 gala in Toronto, concluding RCC's industry conference RCCSTORE26.
The big picture
The expansion of the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards reflects a retail sector increasingly focused on data-driven innovation and consumer-centric product development. With RCC members accounting for 95% of Canada's grocery market, these awards serve as a bellwether for trends in food and non-food categories, particularly around convenience, functionality, and sustainability. The inclusion of media partners suggests growing recognition of the awards' influence on consumer purchasing decisions.
What we're watching
- Consumer Insights
- How Caddle's third-party ratings will impact product development cycles and marketing strategies for winning brands.
- Brand Differentiation
- Whether the new finalist/winner seals will drive meaningful in-store engagement and sales lift for recognized products.
- Industry Standards
- The pace at which these awards will set new benchmarks for innovation across Canadian retail categories.