Arul Palaniappan, director of Premier New Elgin Service Station in Scotland, has been named Asian Trader of the Year at the Asian Trader Awards 2026, the event’s top individual retailer accolade. The awards were held in London on Wednesday (Nov 4).
Palaniappan’s nomination highlights the pace at which he has built his convenience retail business. Over the past five years, he says, the business has opened 40 stores and petrol stations combined, with an ambition to make a positive contribution to the convenience industry through high standards, strong service and value for customers.
The New Elgin Service Station is part of a wider operation that trades across Premier and Budgens. Palaniappan’s approach is centred on developing stores that meet local needs while maintaining consistent standards and a strong customer offer.
His business journey has included the acquisition and development of sites, with the aim of improving performance and creating sustainable convenience destinations. The nomination describes a retailer focused on combining operational standards with customer service and value.
The Asian Trader of the Year award recognises a retailer who has made a significant contribution to raising standards and transforming the fortunes of the convenience sector. Palaniappan’s win reflects the scale of his expansion over a relatively short period and his ambition to continue developing the business.
Asian Trader Awards 2026, held at Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in London, recognised the achievements of independent retailers and businesses from across the country, shining a spotlight on the innovation, enterprise, resilience and community spirit that continue to define the sector.
The evening was hosted by actor Nitin Chandra Ganatra. Minister for Artificial Intelligence The Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP graced the occasion as the chief guest.
The Asian Trader Awards 2026 winners
- Responsible Retailer of the Year: Andrew Board, Premier Core Convenience Store, Durham
- Convenience Chain of the Year: Mohan Periyasamy Palani, Samy Group Ltd, Middlesbrough
- Tobacco & Next Gen Champion of the Year: Rajalingam Mathusan, Premier Childers Street, London
- Bakery Retailer of the Year: Roli Ranger, Budgens Ascot, Berkshire
- Next Gen Award: Hamza Hussain, Abu Bakr Supermarkets, Batley, West Yorkshire
- Best Retail Couple of the Year: Bisi and Mayo Osundeko, Go Local Junction Lane, St Helens, Merseyside
- World Food Retailer of the Year: Mohammed Altaf, PAK Foods, Stoke-on-Trent
- Independent Retailer of the Year: George Phillips, TJ’s Late Shop, Londis, Hemel Hempstead
- Best Home Delivery Retailer of the Year: Mandeep Singh, Premier Singh’s Team, Sheffield
- Food to Go Retailer of the Year: Harry and Zoe Archer, Shop & Go, Burstwick Service Station, Hull
- Spirit of the Community Award: Benedict Selvaratnam, Freshfields Market, Croydon, Surrey
- Symbol Retailer of the Year: Kalpesh (Pete) Patel, Zola Ltd t/a Costcutter, Purfleet, Essex
- Off Licence of the Year: Kathleen Campbell and Richard Walker, Campbell’s of Leyburn, North Yorkshire
- Impulse Retailer of the Year: Jas and Michelle Chatha, Go Local Extra, Chathas Retail, Bradford
- Charity Hero of the Year: Jawad and Asiyah Javed, A&J Alloa Spar, Stenhousemuir, Falkirk
- Best Merchandising Store of the Year: Raheem Ali Razaq, Ali’s Nisa Royston, Glasgow
- Businesswoman of the Year: Nathalie Fullerton, Go Local Dumbarton Road, Glasgow
- Asian Trader of the Year: Arul Palaniappan, Premier New Elgin Service Station, Scotland