Award Entrant Details
Award Details
Young Achiever of the Year
Sceptre's Young Achiever of the Year award recognises the talent of a retail industry member, under the age of 30 as of 30 June 2026.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry is the Sceptre 2026 Young Achiever of the Year winner. The winner will have a track record of professional development and achievements. Please provide examples of the individual's contribution to the performance and success of a centre; how has the entrant contributed to increases in footfall, dwell time, customer spend and a positive public perception of a centre? The entrant will also be committed to meeting the needs and demands of the centre’s stakeholders, landlords, occupiers, visitors, local community and fellow team members. The judges will also look for someone who shows the potential to benefit the retail destination industry at large in future years.
Max word limit 300
Security Team of the Year
The Security Team of the Year award recognises best practice in shopping centre security, whether by directly-employed security teams, specialist contractors, or integrated service suppliers.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be the Sceptre 2026 Security Team of the Year winner. To find the winner, the judges will be looking at a team's direct contribution to the centre’s security, and will hope to see examples of when the team have exceeded expectations or have gone the extra mile. This can include positive feedback from retailers and customers or a specific example of an incident that occurred and was dealt with in an effective and sensitive manner - in line with a centre's wider customer service initiatives.
Max word limit 300
Community Initiative of the Year
The Community Initiative of the Year Award recognises retail destinations which have made a positive impact on the local community that they serve. This could be from working with the homeless, launching specific awareness campaigns or running events for the local community.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be Sceptre's 2026 Community Initiative of the Year winner. The judges will be looking for an initiative that has made a positive societal impact on its community, with detail provided about the effects, the intentions, and the overall impact of the initiative. As well as how the initiative has influenced the positive reception of the retail centre in its locale.
Max word limit 300
Retail Destination of the Year
The Retail Destination of the Year recognises a location that has successfully demonstrated a strategic approach to enhancing its environment. The award celebrates locations that have transformed through thoughtful planning and development, enhancing the overall experience for all who interact with the space.
In no more than 500 words, please state why your entry could be the Sceptre 2026 Retail Destination of the Year winner. The judges will be looking to see if the location that has made significant strides in all or some the following key areas:-
1. Placemaking: The development of a unique, engaging, and inclusive atmosphere that fosters a sense of community and attracts visitors and occupiers alike.
2. Public Space Improvements: Significant upgrades or innovations to public spaces that have enhanced the experience for both locals and visitors, making them more accessible, welcoming, and functional.
3. Environmental and Social Impact: Efforts to create a positive environmental footprint and meaningful social contributions, including sustainable practices, green initiatives, and community engagement.
Max word limit 500
Retail Liaison Award
The Retail Liaison Award recognises best practice in shopping centre liaison, whether directly employed by management teams or through external agencies.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry could be the Sceptre 2026 Retail Liaison Award winner. The judges will be looking at the liaison's contribution to the centre's activities or a portfolio’s financial performance, tenant mix, footfall and vitality. Supporting data such as comparative sales levels, occupancy levels, and feedback from retailers and customers will be welcomed by the judges, who will also be considering how a liaison has helped management improve retailers' merchandising, store layout, customer service and staff training too.
Max word limit 300
Operations Manager of the Year
The Operations Manager of the Year accolade recognises the excellence of an operations manager employed in a retail venue or park, leisure park or outlet mall.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry could be the Sceptre 2026 Operations Manager of the Year winner. The winning entrant will be successful in ensuring the smooth running of the venue's systems; in the planning, procuring and managing of reparative, replacement or upgrading machinery; and in the efficient management of suppliers. The winner will also contribute to a centre's customer service and sustainability initiatives too.
Max word limit 300
Marketing Manager of the Year
This award recognises best practice by a marketing professional working within a retail destination. This could, for example, be an in-house marketing professional or a marketeer employed from outside consultancy groups.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry could be the Sceptre 2026 Marketing Manager of the Year winner. Within this category, the judges will be looking at how marketing initiatives implemented by the entrant have contributed positively to the performance, success and public perception of a retail venue; and how they have increased customer footfall, dwell time and spending. Budgeting, the cost-effectiveness and value for money of marketing campaigns will also be take into account, as well as the inclusion of innovative methods of marketing.
Max word limit 300
Sustainability Initiative of the Year
The Sustainability Initiative of the Year recognises and rewards a centre which has increased its sustainability credentials of a retail destination or portfolio of venues, through various activities.
In no more than 300 words, the judges will want to see details of a single initiative or a series of related initiatives that have improved the sustainable practices and performances of a destination – what the activity is, what it hoped to achieve and what it has achieved – in terms of environmental impact, waste, energy and water usage, cost reduction initiatives, or the increasing of biodiversity. They will also want to see evidence of the initiative's impact, in terms of cost, venue vibrancy, and on the local community.
Max word limit 300
Customer Services Team of the Year
The Customer Services Team of the Year accolade recognises the excellence of all types of teams employed within the retail industry, in assisting and supporting their customers - therefore entries for individuals will not be considered.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be Sceptre's 2026 Customer Services Team of the Year. Please include examples of customer loyalty, such as footfall, dwell time and repeat visit data. Testimonials from customers are also accepted and will be considered by the judges. The judges will be looking for teams that prioritise health and safety, first aid, and evacuation procedures - as well as the team's development within these areas. The team's contribution to the overall financial performance of the retail centre will also be looked at. You can either quote raw or benchmarked figures.
Max word limit 300
Christmas Campaign of the Year
The Christmas Campaign of the Year award recognises an innovative and admirable Christmas campaign, put on by a retail destination.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be Sceptre's 2026 Christmas Campaign of the Year. A winning campaign will have proven to increase customer footfall, dwell time and spend; while having been mindful of the retail centre's marketing budget. Has the Christmas Campaign entrant spent the budget wisely; within the entry, can you give an indication of the budget and the size of the retail centre. Please indicate whether the campaign has been recognised publicly, either by the local community or even by national bodies. Or if the campaign has positively enhanced the retail centre's image?
Max word limit 300
Manager of the Year – Small Venue
The Manager of the Year – Small Venue award recognises proven best practice by a manager at a retail destination, retail park, leisure park or outlet mall, that is up to 200,000 square feet in size.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be the Sceptre 2026 Manager of the Year - Small Venue winner. The winner of this category will have initiated schemes that have increased post-lockdown footfall, dwell time, customer spend, and new lettings. The small venue manager will succeed in maintaining, managing and improving relationships with tenants and key stakeholders, while increasing the frequency of meaningful visits to tenants’ premises. The judges will also look at a manager and venue’s social impact, community involvement, and sustainability and ESG initiatives; as well as positive feedback for the destination and staff, from customers, occupiers and the local community.
Max word limit 300
Manager of the Year - Medium Venue
The Manager of the Year – Medium Venue award recognises proven best practice by a manager at a retail destination, retail park, leisure park or outlet mall, that is between 200,001 to 450,000 square feet in size.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be the Sceptre 2026 Manager of the Year - Medium Venue winner. The winner of this category will have initiated schemes that have increased post-lockdown footfall, dwell time, customer spend, and new lettings. The medium venue manager will succeed in maintaining, managing and improving relationships with tenants and key stakeholders, while increasing the frequency of meaningful visits to tenants’ premises. The judges will also look at a manager and venue’s social impact, community involvement, and sustainability and ESG initiatives; as well as positive feedback for the destination and staff, from customers, occupiers and the local community.
Max word limit 300
Manager of the Year - Large Venue
The Manager of the Year - Large Venue award recognises proven best practice by a manager at a retail destination, retail park, leisure park or outlet mall, that is over 450,001 square feet in size.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be the Sceptre 2026 Manager of the Year - Large Venue winner. The winner will have initiated schemes that have increased post-lockdown footfall, dwell time, customer spend, and new lettings. The large venue manager will succeed in maintaining, managing and improving relationships with tenants and key stakeholders, while increasing the frequency of meaningful visits to tenants’ premises. The judges will also look at a manager and venue's social impact, community involvement, and sustainability and ESG initiatives; as well as any positive feedback for the destination and staff, from customers, occupiers and the local community.
Max word limit 300
Car Park of the Year
The Car Park of the Year Award recognises the innovation and excellence of a car park at a shopping centre, retail park, leisure park, or outlet centre.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be Sceptre's 2026 Car Park of the Year. The judges will be looking for a car park that offers services which surpass the day-to-day duties of a car park, e.g. enhanced customer services or creative use of space. In your entry, please include any significant changes or improvements that have been made to the car park, which have increased its functionality, such as any new technologies employed, green initiatives, structural changes, improved wayfinding for customers and/or increased security measures. The overall question judges will be hoping that a winner answer’s is, how has the car park become a better asset to a destination?
Max word limit 300
Diversity & Inclusion Scheme of the Year
Sceptre's Diversity & Inclusion Award recognises best practice shown by shopping centres that are driving change in inclusivity and diversity parameters.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be Sceptre's 2026 Diversity & Inclusion Scheme of the Year winner. The judges are looking for an initiative that demonstrates an allowance for all shoppers in terms of diversity and inclusion. Plus, the training of centre teams and retailers, to raise awareness and increase the assistance available to those with disabilities - along with any physical improvements that have been made to your site, where needed to improve the customer experience for all.
Max word limit 300
Innovation of the Year
The Innovation of the Year award is open to any retail destination that can demonstrate the successful implementation of an innovation that has paid dividends, either financially or by way of improving user experience. The innovation can be in any area of the centre.
In no more than 300 words, please state why your entry should be Sceptre's 2026 Innovation of the Year winner. The judges are looking for an 'outside the box' idea, and something that pushes boundaries. Such as the repurposing of a unit and/or using space for new and exciting purposes that benefit the local community.
Max word limit 300
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Terms and Conditions
The organiser of the awards is Retail Destination, Lewis Business Media (Arts), Suite A, Arun House, The Office Village, Uckfield, TN22 1SL.
By entering the awards the entrant will be deemed to have read and understood these rules and to be bound by them. These rules include any instructions set out with the awards details.
A fee of £99.00 + VAT will be charged for each entry and payment must be made before judging.
There is no restriction on the number of entries or on the number of categories for which entries may be submitted. Each entry needs to be on a separate form.
Entrants must work for or be from a UK shopping centre.
All entries must be sent by email to arrive no later than 23:59 Friday 22th of May or by the date of extension if this is permitted.
Entries will only be accepted if they are submitted on the entry form, completed in full and accompanied by any supporting documents.
Entries must be signed by the person responsible for submitting the entry and to whom all correspondence concerning the Awards should be addressed.
Entries will become the property of the organiser and will not be returned.
Responsibility cannot be accepted for lost, late or mislaid entry and any entry which is damaged, defaced, illegible or incomplete, or which otherwise does not comply with these terms and conditions may be deemed invalid in the sole discretion of the organiser.
The shortlist for the awards will be announced in June 2026. Short-listed entrants will be notified by email as soon as practicable following the announcement.
Award winners will be announced the night of the Sceptre Awards. The winners’ names will be published in Retail Destination and online at www.retaildestination.co.uk.
The organiser reserves the right to change the categories and the judging panel without prior notice to entrants.
The judges may decline to make some or all of the awards in any category if, in their opinion, there are insufficient entries of a winning standard.
The organiser’s decision on all matters affecting this competition is final and legally binding.
No correspondence will be entered into.
Winners may be required to take part in some post-event publicity and consent to their name and photograph being used for such purposes.
Winners may publicise they are a category winner or short-listed in “Retail Destination SCEPTRE Awards™ 2026” provided that the category is specified
If the 'Submit Your Award Entry' button is not visible below, it means no award category has been selected. Please return to the 'Awards Details' section and choose your category from the dropdown to proceed.
