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Eight Categories, Multiple Chances to Win.

The categories and various awards of the V&A Neighbourhood Awards reflect our waterfront world’s commitment to excellence, innovation and ethical business. Choose a category that celebrates where you go the extra mile or enter them all.

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sustainability and Impact

Brand and store experience

Neighbourhood Champion Awards

Retail Excellence

Staff Talent

Service Excellence

People's choice awards

Special recognition

Sustainability and Impact

This category celebrates tenants who are a shining example through the way that they show up for society or the planet.

Sustainability Award

Recognises a tenant that has embarked on a commendable sustainability journey at their V&A Waterfront store.

Social Impact Award

Recognises a tenant that is actively involved in community initiatives and partnerships, embodying shared success.

Empowerment Award

Recognises a tenant that fosters economic impact through skills development, job creation or supply chain transformation.

Brand and Store Experience

This category celebrates tenants who are a shining example through the way that they show up for society or the planet.

Best Marketing & Digital Innovation

Recognises a tenant that has executed the most impactful marketing and/or digital campaign to promote their V&A store.

Best Activation

Recognises a tenant that has executed the most impactful and engaging activation or event within the precinct.

Best New Or Revamped Store

Recognises a tenant that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in either launching a new store or revitalising an existing one.

Best Visual Merchandising

Recognises a tenant that has the most visually appealing and effective in-store displays.

Neighbourhood Champion Awards

This category celebrates tenants who are a shining example through the way that they show up for society or the planet.

Global Ambassador Award

Recognises a tenant that, directly or indirectly, promotes the V&A Waterfront brand on a global scale through their activities or partnerships.

Good Neighbour Award

Recognises a tenant that exemplifies and embodies the values of good neighbourliness within the V&A Waterfront community.

Retail Excellence

This category celebrates tenants who are a shining example through the way that they show up for society or the planet.

Retail Excellence Award

The winner of this special award is selected by the V&A Waterfront retail team in recognition of a retail tenant that goes above and beyond.

Staff Talent

This category celebrates tenants who are a shining example through the way that they show up for society or the planet.

Store Manager Of The Year

Recognises an outstanding individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, dedication and achievement.

Retail Service Staff Champion

Recognises a store assistant, honoured by their peers or management, for exemplifying excellence in customer service, teamwork and dedication.

Service Excellence

This category celebrates tenants who are a shining example through the way that they show up for society or the planet.

Retail Service Excellence Award

Recognises a retail tenant who has demonstrated exceptional customer service within their store.

Small Business Service Excellence Award

Recognises a small business tenant who has demonstrated exceptional customer service within their store.

Food Service Excellence Award

Recognises a food tenant who has demonstrated exceptional customer service within their eatery.

People's Choice Awards

This category celebrates tenants who are a shining example through the way that they show up for society or the planet.

Best Retail

Recognises the stand-out store, chosen by open vote, that is the public’s favourite.

Best Eatery

Recognises the stand-out eatery, chosen by open vote, that is the public’s favourite.

Best Small Business

Recognises the small business that’s captured local hearts, whether it’s a friendly neighbourhood favourite, a charming boutique, or an owner-run treasure.

Special Recognition

This category celebrates tenants who are a shining example through the way that they show up for society or the planet.

CEO Award

A prestigious award that recognises the outstanding contributions of a tenant to the V&A’s strategy, values, community or the industry.

Evergreen Award

Recognises tenants who have demonstrated long-standing commitment and dedication to the V&A Waterfront, celebrating 10 years, 20 years and 30 year milestones of continuous operation within The V&A Waterfront.

Award-Winning Stories from Our Past Winners

“

It was a great achievement. You know, for a small, local store competing with big, international brands, but yet, people come from all around the world to our little kiosk and support it. It’s amazing to see. It’s such an honour to be recognised.

Malikah Kyritsis from Afrika Joe

Retail Excellence Award 2024

“

Being a finalist for People’s Choice and Best Marketing, and winning for Best Activation, means alot to us as a team. Our team works incredibly hard at creating authentic, fun and engaging experiences. Being nominated in so many categories, and winning one, is recognition for the hard work that every person in our business puts in.

Dino Paulo from HintHunt

Best Activation Award 2024

“

For mom and I, it’s all about the work and the impact it can have. We want to see improvements in our community. Receiving recognition, from a place like the V&A Waterfront, it tells you that people are watching. Sometimes, you can feel really unseen. And with winning, we felt really seen.

Tamburai Chirume from One of Each

Empowerment Award, Global Brand Ambassador Award 2024

“

It’s very humbling. It reflects our dedication to our clients and the city of Cape Town. Winning this award is a testament to what we do and the service we provide to our clients. Going the extra mile. Always delivering on our promises. We make sure that we always do in-house training and look for ways to put ourselves a step ahead.

Carmen Roussouw from Shimanksy

Retail Service Excellence Award, Marketing Alchemy Award 2025

“

Our particular award was judged by the customers. And for us, the customer is the number one thing. It’s the reason we’re here. We want to make customers happy. So for us to be awarded as the customer’s favourite retail store, I can say I am really proud of it.

Luntu Lolonga from Woolworths

People’s Choice - Favourite Store 2024

Guides & Resources

Important Guides & Resources

Entry Rules

Judging Process

Partnership Opportunities

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ’s

We Are here to Help

Can I enter more than one category?

Yes, as long as you qualify as per the criteria set out for the award. There is no limit on how many categories you can enter.

What is the qualification to enter the Best New Store Experience Award?

Any new or newly revamped tenant is eligible to enter this award. However, the criteria require some demonstration of results, so you must provide at least six months’ worth of results to qualify.

Who are the judges for the awards?

We have assembled a distinguished panel of judges who are highly respected experts in their fields. We have taken every care to ensure that any conflict of interest is avoided. Here is a full list of judges.

How will the awards be judged?

The awards will be judged anonymously, remotely and independently by a panel of up to five judges per award. Entries will be evaluated based on the criteria provided prior to submission. This panel size helps ensure impasses are avoided, and winners are selected based on merit by majority vote.

What are the award categories?

We have eight award categories made up of 19 individual awards. The categories are as follows: • Sustainability & Impact Category • Brand & Store Experience Category • Store Talent Category • Neighbourhood Champion Category • Service Excellence Category • Retail Excellence Category • Special Recognition Category • People’s Choice Award

What are the criteria for judging?

Judging criteria vary by awards categories, but they generally include: • Quality and uniqueness of initiative • Measurable results including revenue growth, footfall, sales conversion and engagement. • Improvement on customer experience and feedback • Innovation, creativity & originality • Positive contribution to the V&A Waterfront’s visitor experience and alignment with neighbourhood values

Celebrating Excellence at the V&A Waterfront

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We appreciate your commitment to celebrating local excellence—our team will be in touch with next steps shortly.

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Categories Past Winners Judges Guides & Resources News & Insights Contact Us