Mohammed Altaf of PAK Foods has been named World Food Retailer of the Year at the Asian Trader Awards 2026 held in London on Wednesday (Nov 4). The award is supported by Tropical Sun.
PAK Foods began in 1989 with a single convenience store in Radford, Nottingham, founded with money borrowed from family members. The business expanded into larger supermarket formats, opening its first purpose-built PAK Foods supermarket in Normanton, Derby, in 1996.
Today, PAK Foods operates nine supermarkets across the Midlands, including Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Burton-on-Trent and Peterborough. Stores range in size from 4,000 to 12,000sq ft and offer groceries, fresh produce, world foods and household essentials.
A defining feature of the business is the way each store is shaped around its local customer base. The offer includes extensive world-food ranges and fresh halal meat counters, alongside competitively priced everyday products and well-known brands. The group’s independence allows it to respond to changing customer demand while retaining a personal approach to service.
The nomination traces the business’s development from its early neighbourhood shop to a trusted supermarket destination for multicultural communities. Its first purpose-built supermarket represented a significant investment in an area then widely perceived as high-risk, and the business says its presence contributed to local regeneration.
Nearly four decades after its first store opened, PAK Foods continues to combine fresh and quality products with affordability and accessibility. The award recognises the role of specialist world-food retailing in meeting the needs of communities across the Midlands.
Asian Trader Awards 2026, held at Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in London on Wednesday (Nov 4), 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