RCC recognizes Couche-Tard CEO, reveals Excellence in Retailing finalists
The Retail Council of Canada has announced the recipient of its Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award and the finalists for its Excellence in Retailing Awards.
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. president and CEO Alex Miller is the recipient of the Retail Council of Canada’s Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award.
Miller was named chief executive of the Quebec-headquartered gas and convenience brands in September 2024.
The third CEO in Couche-Tard’s 45-year history, Miller first joined the business in 2012 as director of fuels, real estate and facilities. He went on to hold progressively senior roles across fuels, operations and commercial optimization.
Before that, Miller spent 16 years with BP Plc in operational, supply chain, strategy and business development in the United States and Europe.
Couche-Tard operates some 17,300 stores—including more than 2,100 in Canada—across 27 countries and territories.
“Alex Miller is a transformational retail leader,” said Kim Furlong, president and CEO of Retail Council of Canada, in a press release. “From the frontline up, he has built a culture of accountability and entrepreneurship, invested meaningfully in the people who serve Canadian customers every day, and brought a clear strategic vision to one of Canada’s most iconic retail brands. We are proud to recognize his achievements with this award.”
RCC also announced the 64 finalists who will vie for its 2026 Excellence in Retailing Awards in 10 categories. Here's some of this year's finalists:
• Cobs Bread
• Farm Boy Company Inc.
• LCBO
• Lindt & Sprüngli (Canada)
• Loblaw Companies Limited
• Longo’s
• Nespresso Canada
• Pattison Food Group
• Pet Valu
• Restaurant Brands International
• Save-On-Foods
• Sobeys Inc.
• Walmart Canada
• Well.ca
“To be named an ERA finalist is to stand among the most accomplished in Canadian retail. In a complex and demanding year, these organizations demonstrated the kind of leadership and forward momentum that defines excellence,” Furlong said.
The Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award and the Excellence in Retailing Awards will be presented at the Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala, taking place in Toronto on June 2.
The gala will cap off the first day of RCCSTORE26, which runs June 2 to 3.
