Asian Media Group hosted the 38th Asian Trader Awards on November 4 in London, bringing together leading retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and industry figures to celebrate excellence across the UK convenience and grocery sector.
Held at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel, the prestigious annual event 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.
From established family-run stores and specialist food retailers to ambitious multi-site operators and the next generation brimming with new ideas, this year’s winners represented the breadth and diversity of the evolving face of convenience retail.
The evening was hosted by actor Nitin Chandra Ganatra, with the Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister for Artificial Intelligence, attending as chief guest.
Addressing the audience, Narayan acknowledged Asian Trader's longstanding relationship with the retail community, as the publication marks its 41st anniversary alongside the 38th edition of the awards.
"Asian Trader has been far steadier glues for the community than most politicians," Narayan said. "There are many of us who have come and gone in the time that you have been serving the community of retailers across this country.
"Convenience stores are not just corner shops but they are corner stones of our high streets."
Recalling the days when his family was shifted to Wales, Narayan spoke about how local convenience stores had become an essential part of his family's life, offering much more than everyday groceries.
"For us, these stores were not simply places where we went to buy things. They were where we bought calling cards to speak to relatives in India, picked up newspapers and magazines – many published by Solanki family's Asian Media Group – to keep up with the news that mattered to us, and found food and fresh produce that would otherwise have been difficult to access.
“Those stores also provided Post Office services in communities that struggled to access them, and offered a way for businesses to reach audiences that were otherwise difficult to connect with.
"During the pandemic, everyone saw how their role went beyond business. There was a real sense of service at the heart of our communities.
“I want to pay tribute to all the convenience retailers for not only for the role you have played as cornerstones of our high streets, but as hubs within our communities.”
Shefali Solanki, Associate Publisher at Asian Media Group, also addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and outlining the publication's plans to deepen its engagement with the convenience retail sector.
"Asian Trader has never stood still. Like you all here tonight, we have had to keep evolving to stay ahead. This year we launched AMG Intelligence, our new data analysis division, which delivers in-depth research, reports, and analysis on the convenience channel.
"This year, we also launched the Convenience Hub, a closed working group of convenience retailers that takes Asian Trader beyond reporting on the sector to bringing it together, where members learn from one another, tackle day-to-day challenges together, and when it matters, speak with one collective voice.
"For us, advocacy is not an add-on to what we do; it's at the very heart of why Asian Trader exists. Save our shops is not a slogan; it is a commitment that, as long as your stores are under pressure, we will be standing up for them."
The award ceremony also saw the launch of long list of Asian Trader's top 101 influential retailers that will be published early next year.
This year, the award ceremony was preceded by Asian Trader Trade Show, which saw the exhibit of both established brands and new launches under one roof to keep convenience retailers ahead.
Celebrating the sector's achievers
A total of 18 retailers were recognised across categories celebrating entrepreneurship, commercial achievement, innovation, customer service and community contribution.
Andrew Board of Premier Core Convenience Store in Durham was named Responsible Retailer of the Year, while Mohan Periyasamy Palani, founder and director of Samy Group, took home Convenience Chain of the Year.
Celebrating the strength of family partnerships in independent retail, Bisi and Mayo Osundeko of Go Local Junction Lane in St Helens were named Best Retail Couple of the Year.
Nathalie Fullerton of One Stop Partick on Dumbarton Road in Glasgow was crowned Businesswoman of the Year while the evening culminated in the announcement of Arul Palaniappan, director of Premier New Elgin Service Station in Scotland, as Asian Trader of the Year 2026.
Beyond the retail categories, the Wholesale Depot of the Year award went to Parfetts Cash & Carry in Middlesbrough.
A special honour was also presented to Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager at Mondelēz International, who received the Ram Solanki Award for Excellence in Convenience and Wholesale, recognising her contribution to the sector.
By bringing the industry together and recognising the people behind its success, the Asian Trader Awards continue to celebrate the achievements, ambition and community spirit that keep UK convenience retail moving forward.
The Asian Trader Awards 2026 winners list
- 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, One Stop Patrick store, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow
- Asian Trader of the Year: Arul Palaniappan, Premier New Elgin Service Station, Scotland