Applications are now open for the Retail World Awards 2026, presented by the Retail World Forum in collaboration with Fast Company Middle East. The awards recognize the brands, teams, and technologies that are shaping retail in Saudi Arabia, reflecting strategic thinking, innovative execution, and measurable business results.

Retail in the Kingdom is entering a new phase, driven by large-scale development projects, data-driven customer strategies, and evolving digital habits. The Retail World Awards will highlight companies and initiatives that are contributing to this transformation, whether through improving customer experience, strengthening commercial performance, or introducing new approaches to retail across Saudi Arabia.

WHO CAN APPLY

The Retail World Awards are open to retailers, brands, solution providers, agencies, and organizations operating in Saudi Arabia. Eligible work must have been implemented in the Kingdom between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, demonstrate measurable impact, and be submitted in English. Agencies may submit entries on behalf of clients, and solution providers can nominate client initiatives, while self-nominations for proprietary work are not accepted.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Entries should focus on completed work and clearly demonstrate outcomes. Submissions will be evaluated on innovation, execution quality, impact, scalability, and cultural relevance. Strong nominations outline the challenge, the strategy adopted, the technologies and partnerships involved, and the measurable results achieved through defined KPIs. Focusing on a single initiative per entry gives each submission the strongest chance to stand out.

KEY DATES

1. Early Bird deadline: 15 February 2026 (for reduced nomination fee)

2. Final nominations close: 13 April 2026 — 23:59 GST

3. Awards Night & winners announced: 5 May 2026, Riyadh (co-located with Retail World Forum)

WHY APPLY

Winning a Retail World Award offers recognition across Retail World Forum and Fast Company Middle East platforms, independent editorial validation, and stronger credibility with partners, investors, and talent. The awards provide a platform to highlight work that is shaping the future of retail in Saudi Arabia and support long-term business impact.

HOW TO APPLY

Begin your submission through the online nomination portal. Select the stream that aligns with your work, either Marketfront for creativity and brand, or Technical for technology and operations. Choose the relevant category, complete all required fields, and submit payment to confirm your entry. Organizations may submit multiple entries, provided each focuses on a distinct initiative.

Watch the video here.

Applications for the Retail World Awards 2026 — KSA Edition are now open. Submit your work through the Retail World Awards portal and join the companies defining the future of retail in Saudi Arabia. Winners will be announced on May 5, 2026, in Riyadh, co-located with the Retail World Forum.