IWSC Drinks Supermarket of the Year 2025: Results Revealed
The UK’s top supermarkets gathered in London on 13th February 2025 for an evening of celebration at the IWSC Drinks Supermarket of the Year Awards. The highly anticipated event, dedicated to recognising excellence in drinks retailing, saw leading retailers battle it out across seven categories, culminating in the crowning of the Outstanding Drinks Supermarket of the Year.
Recognising the Best in Drinks Retailing
Hosted by renowned drinks expert David Kermode, alongside esteemed judges Cat Lomax, Anne Jones and Ivan Dixon, the awards ceremony honoured supermarkets excelling in categories such as Classic, Convenience, Discounter, Regional/Specialist, Online, and Sustainable – with the ultimate accolade going to the Outstanding Supermarket of the Year.
2025 IWSC Supermarket of the Year Winners & Judges’ Insights
Waitrose was awarded the title of Outstanding Supermarket, impressing the judges with its exceptional wine selection, commitment to sustainability, and consistently high customer experience. According to David Kermode, "Waitrose is truly leading in sustainability, ethical sourcing, and regenerative practices. Their wine range is also top-tier, consistently high in quality."
Tesco took home the Classic Supermarket award, standing out with its strong wine range and strategic in-store retailing approach. "Tesco’s wine selection has seen remarkable improvements, with a well-curated range that enhances the customer experience," said Kermode.
For Convenience Supermarket, Co-op was recognised for its engaging social media presence and sustainability initiatives. Cat Lomax remarked, "Co-op stands out for its strong social media engagement and commitment to sustainability. For a convenience store, they deliver an excellent customer experience."
Lidl emerged victorious in the Discounter Supermarket category, earning praise for its significantly improved wine selection and efficient store layout. Anne Jones commented, "Lidl’s wine range was a real surprise this year—much improved and thoughtfully presented. The store layout also makes for a pleasant shopping experience."
Booths secured the Regional/Specialist Supermarket title, impressing the judges with its elegant store design, knowledgeable staff, and well-curated drinks selection. "Booths provides an outstanding retail experience with a well-curated drinks selection and an inviting store environment," said Christelle Guibert.
Ocado was named Online Supermarket, excelling in digital retail with its seamless shopping experience and diverse product range. "Ocado excels in online retailing, offering a flexible and user-friendly platform that makes discovering new wines effortless," said Lomax.
Finally, Waitrose also took home the Sustainable Supermarket award, leading the way in ethical sourcing and regenerative practices. Anne Jones noted, "Sustainability in wine retail is complex, but Waitrose has set a clear standard with their regenerative farming initiatives and ethical sourcing."
A Gold Standard in Drinks Retailing
In its inaugural year, the IWSC Drinks Supermarket of the Year has set the benchmark for excellence in supermarket drinks retail. Unlike any other awards in the industry, it is the only expert-led competition featuring an exhaustive judging process.
Over the course of 240+ hours, industry professionals meticulously assessed the retailers to determine the winners. The awards not only celebrate exceptional product ranges but also honour the supermarkets’ efforts in customer experience, sustainability, and innovation.
Exclusive Insights for Drinks Suppliers
The IWSC has also launched a comprehensive industry guide to support drinks producers looking to enter the supermarket and large-scale specialist retail sectors. Covering key topics such as consumer insights, pricing strategies, and standing out in a competitive market, this guide is an invaluable resource for businesses looking to expand their retail presence.
Access the IWSC Insights Report here: IWSC Insight Series
As we look ahead to another year of innovation and excellence in drinks retail, the IWSC continues to champion those leading the way. Congratulations to all the winners – here’s to another year of outstanding supermarket drinks retailing!
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