The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has opened registrations for the 2025 Peter Jowett Convenience Retail Award.
The AACS Peter Jowett Award is a unique chance for future leaders of the industry to challenge others in Australia on thinking about the opportunities for the convenience industry.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, said this award is not just about competition; it’s about recognising ambition, fostering creativity, and celebrating the bright future of convenience retail in Australia.
“The Peter Jowett Convenience Award showcases the exceptional talent within our industry and is a chance for the next generation of leaders in our Retailer and Supplier network to inspire innovation and drive our channel forward.”
This year’s topic is: “What can be done now to future-proof convenience to enable the industry to thrive?”
Last year’s retail winner, Keirice Farley from 7-Eleven, said winning the Peter Jowett Award was an incredibly proud for her.
“It validated the hard work, creativity, and dedication I’ve poured into my ideas and projects. Make no mistake, the Peter Jowett Award process will push you to your limits, but the rewards are truly invaluable.
“I’m deeply grateful for the incredible support and encouragement from my 7-Eleven team members and leaders. Their belief in me and their encouragement to pursue this opportunity were instrumental in my success. Special mention to my fellow Peter Jowett members, the amazing AACS team and all the Retail and Supplier members.
“The process of developing a point of view, articulating a strategy, and crafting an engaging presentation was challenging but incredibly rewarding.”
Olivia Mercer from Suntory Oceania won last year’s supplier award and explained she found the entire Peter Jowett experience very rewarding.
“The personal and professional growth that came from the experience is invaluable and I’d encourage anyone looking to challenge themselves to give it a go! You truly don’t know what you’re capable of until you try.
“Having a strong support network around me was so important, and I’ll be forever grateful for my Suntory team and leaders who encouraged and believed in me. The experience was one of the most challenging yet rewarding I’ve had, pushing me outside of my comfort zone and helping me achieve things I didn’t know were possible.”
Entrants will be assessed across four key areas, reflecting both the quality of their submissions and the practical relevance of their ideas:
- Quality of Submission – 10 per cent
- Addresses the Question – 40 per cent
- Shows Innovative Thinking – 25 per cent
- Could be Implemented – 25 per cent
The award is open to all AACS members, both supplier and retail. Entrants must be under 36 years of age. Registrations are now open and will close on 14 February with submissions due 28 February and finalists announced on 10 March 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact AACS’ Member Engagement Manager, Zan Lewarn at zan.lewarn@aacs.org.au.
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