PHOTOS: 2025 Master Merchandiser Awards winners announced!

The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) presented its 2025 Master Merchandiser Awards this week during the Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) exhibition and conference.

A panel of industry judges determined category winners based on: creativity and visual appeal; effective use of signage; display shopability; effective cross-merchandising; and supporting manufacturer compliance.

Merchandising displays, promotions and events were held between Aug. 12, 2024 and Aug. 8, 2025 (photo gallery below). This year's winners are: 

First To Market – New Product

Small Surface-Gold 

IGA Gibsons, Gibsons, British Columbia 

IGA Gibsons 

Team Supplier: Ben Clarke, Lassonde

Medium Surface Gold 

Save-On Foods Lansdowne, Kamloops, British Columbia 

Jesse Stahl and Juliann Wolfe

Supplier: Pepsico 

Large Surface Gold

Save-On Foods Park & Tilford, North Vancouver, British Columbia

Nav Kandola and Team

Supplier: Scott Hudson, KraftHeinz

Themed Event

Small Surface Gold

Neepawa Co-op, Neepawa, Manitoba

Dean Smith and Team

Supplier: Donna Van De Walle, Lassonde

Medium Surface Gold 

Save-On Foods Lansdowne, Kamloops, British Columbia 

Jesse Stahl and Juliann Wolfe

Supplier: Pepsico 

Large Surface Gold

Save-On Foods Regina East, Regina, Saskatchewan

Rob Foster, Brett Halladay, Dana Moggey, Rita Slinn, Jacoby Slinn, Ash Nicolai and Douglas Cook

Supplier:Lassonde

Perimeter Display

Small Surface Gold

Freson Bros. Hanna, Hanna, Alberta

Don Boos and Team

Supplier: Sharon Gower, Saputo

Medium Surface Gold

Market Street Vulcan, Vulcan, Alberta 

Scott Mitchell and Team

Supplier: Sharon Gower, Saputo

Large Surface Gold

Quality Foods Powell River, Powell River, British Columbia

Chris Rieschmann & Team

Supplier: James Branco, J.M. Smucker

Multi-Manufacturer

Small Surface Gold

Colemans Food Centre - Caribou Road, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador


Chad Luedee & Store Team

Supplier: Coca-Cola, Old Dutch

Medium Surface Gold

Sherwood Co-op Regina Rochdale Crossing, Regina, Saskatchewan

Noel Castillo & Team

Supplier: Corey Bailey from Saputo, Coca-Cola

Large Surface Gold

Save-On-Foods Orchard Plaza, Kelowna, British Colombia

Scott Gilbert and Eric Falkenberg

Supplier: Rene Mailloux from Lassonde , Coca-Cola, General Mills

Single Manufacturer

Small Surface Gold

Buy-Low Foods – Royal Oak, Burnaby, British Columbia

Jeff Sim and Team

Supplier: Lassonde

Medium Surface Gold

IGA Quintal 8312, Laval, Quebec

Dominique Quintal & Team

Supplier: Tina Pilotte, Maple Leaf Foods

Large Surface Gold

Save-on Foods Orchard Plaza, Kelowna, British Columbia

Scott Gilbert & Eric Falkenberg

Supplier : Mike McGee and Brook Cain, Pepsico