Convenience Innovation Awards announced

The National Convenience Stores Distributors Association (NACDA) has announced the Convenience Innovation Award winners for 2012.

“The Convenience Innovation Awards are bigger than ever with a record subscription total of 39 products,” said Marc Fortin, president of NACDA.

The awards are part of NACDA's efforts to encourage innovation throughout the convenience store channel. The winners were presented at the association's conference Sept. 13 in Muskoka, Ont.

The winners by category are:

Chocolate: Merci Assorted Chocolates (Storck Canada)

Gum: Stride Spark Gum (Kraft Canada)

Confection: Dessert Bites (The Allan Candy Company)

Snacks: Bugles Corn Snacks (General Mills Canada)

Beverage: SanPellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverage (Nestlé Waters)

Non Food: V-Light Utility Lighter (X-Lite Canada)

People’s Choice Award: Cadbury Dairy Milk Family Bar (Kraft Canada)

The submission were evaluated on product characteristics, presentation/packaging, innovation and originality/value.

The judging panel was made up of 17 people from wholesale, retail, media, industry trade associations and promotional agencies.