CHICAGO, Dec. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnsembleIQ’s Progressive Grocer is accepting nominations for the 2026 Top Women in Grocery (TWIG) Awards, marking the 20th anniversary of the industry’s most prestigious program celebrating women leadership, achievement and impact in grocery retail.
Over the past two decades, Top Women in Grocery has recognized thousands of women across the retail, wholesale, manufacturing, CPG, distribution and solutions provider communities. The program honors leaders at every stage of their careers – from Rising Stars to Store Managers to Senior-Level Executives – whose accomplishments and leadership continue to shape the future of the food industry.
“As we celebrate 20 years of Top Women in Grocery, we’re not just honoring the remarkable women of today, we’re recognizing the builders, innovators, mentors and trailblazers who’ve transformed the grocery industry for two decades,” said Eric Savitch, senior vice president & group brand director, Progressive Grocer. “This milestone is a testament to the strength and leadership of women across every corner of grocery, and we invite the industry to help us spotlight the women whose brilliance and impact deserve to be celebrated.”
The program will highlight exceptional year-over-year accomplishments and long-term contributions that reflect the evolution and growth of the grocery sector. Nominees should demonstrate business results, leadership, community engagement, and above-and-beyond service during the eligibility period of March 1, 2025, through Feb. 9, 2026.
“For two decades, TWIG has stood as the gold standard for recognizing the women who lead, innovate and elevate our industry,” said Bridget Goldschmidt, managing editor, Progressive Grocer. “This program has told some of the most inspiring stories in grocery -- stories of courage, resilience, creativity and service. We are proud to carry this legacy forward into our 20th year and beyond.”
The 2026 honorees will be featured in Progressive Grocer’s June 2026 issue and celebrated at an awards gala during the 2026 Grocery Impact conference, which brings together the industry’s top executives, strategists and change-makers.
Nominations are now open in the following categories:
- Senior-Level Executives: VP level and above
- Rising Stars: Managers, specialists, analysts, supervisors and directors below VP level
- Store Managers: Store-level leaders, including assistant store managers
Entries should showcase measurable accomplishments such as:
- Transformational leadership and team development
- Innovation in merchandising, operations, digital, loyalty, ESG or shopper engagement
- Cross-functional or enterprise-level impact
- Community involvement, mentorship, DEI leadership or philanthropic contributions
- Significant achievements or business improvements within the eligibility window
- For past winners: three or more new, major accomplishments are required to re-enter
Nominations are open through Feb. 9, 2026 here.
About Top Women in Grocery
Since its launch in 2006, TWIG has become the most trusted and enduring women’s leadership awards program in the grocery industry, recognizing more than 2,500 honorees from companies of all sizes. The annual gala draws hundreds of leaders and colleagues who gather to celebrate excellence, mentorship and the future of the industry.
About Progressive Grocer
For over 100 years, Progressive Grocer has been the leading voice of the food retail industry, providing award-winning journalism, data, insights and in-depth reporting across digital, print, research and live events. PG serves the full grocery ecosystem, from independents to national chains to the world’s largest brands.
About EnsembleIQ
EnsembleIQ is a premier business intelligence company delivering insightful information and actionable connections that help business leaders and their teams drive growth and innovation across the retail, technology, consumer goods, healthcare, and hospitality industries.
Media Contact
Bridget Goldschmidt
bgoldschmidt@ensembleiq.com
