SWA Achievers 2027 now open for entries

Winners of last year’s prestigious Achievers awards.

Entries are now open for Scottish Wholesale Achievers 2027.

Created by the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA), the awards recognise outstanding performance across the wholesale trade in Scotland and are in their 24th year.

There are 15 wholesaler awards and five supplier awards up for grabs, including two new categories for 2025: Wholesaler of the Year (Under £50 Million) and Best Use of Data & Insight.

Ahead of the 2027 awards, SWA has acted on feedback from wholesalers, suppliers, and judges to enhance the awards, particularly the judging criteria.

Independent judges with cross-sector experience and knowledge will play a key role in the awards, pairing up with supplier judges in each category from the start of the judging process and helping to compile ‘best practice’ feedback.

Following the success of the customer interviews in the Best Cash & Carry and Best Symbol Group categories last year, SWA has introduced customer interviews as part of the judging criteria 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, and there will be £500 for each runner-up and £250 for each highly commended candidate.

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 27 July. The entry form can be found at https://www.scottishwholesale.co.uk/achievers

Tables for the awards dinner at the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, on 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

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 C&C Group)

Best Licensed Wholesaler – On-Trade (sponsored by Budweiser Brewing Group)

Best Marketing Initiative (sponsored by Pernod Ricard)

Great Place to Work (sponsored by AG Barr)

Best Use of Data & Insight: (sponsored by Suntory)

Sustainable Wholesaler of The Year (sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners)

Best Symbol Group (sponsored by Carlsberg Britvic)

Best Cash & Carry (sponsored by Sazerac)

Wholesale Driver of The Year (sponsor TBC)

Rising Star of Wholesale (sponsored by KP Snacks)

Employee of The Year (sponsored by JTI)

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

Wholesaler of the Year (Under £50 Million) (sponsored by PMI)

Supplier awards:

Supplier Sales Executive of The Year (sponsored by Unitas)

Project Wholesale (sponsored by SWA)

Best Overall Service (sponsored by TWC)

Best Foodservice Supplier (sponsored by TWC)

Best Advertising Campaign (sponsored by SWA)