Nominations for the 2026-2027 gia Canada Awards

What is gia? 

The IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) program recognizes retailing excellence, honouring both specialty and multiple-location homegoods retailers for superior business innovation and creative merchandising.  Established in 2000, the global program is sponsored by the International Housewares Association (IHA) and The Inspired Home Show. Leading housewares associations and publications from around the world are national gia awards co-sponsors.

The Center for Consumer Products is pleased to be the Canadian Sponsor of the IHA gia program and proud to select the winner of the gia Canada award each year.

 

Eligible Retailers and gia Awards Categories:

Different types of retailers selling home and housewares may participate in the IHA’s gia Awards competition:

  • Independent Specialty Homegoods Retailers
  • Department Stores/Specialty Chain Stores/Mass Market Stores
  • Internet/Online Retailers (without a physical storefront; a prior authorization by IHA required)

There are no separate categories for different types of retailers, but all participating companies compete for the same gia Global Honoree awards. One winner per trade association/publication sponsor unless the association or publication is authorized by the IHA to select more than one winner.

In addition to the general gia awards, the national gia winners have a chance to compete for the Martin M. Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising and for the gia Digital Commerce Award for Excellence in Online Retailing (the online award depending on the total number of eligible applicants).

Winners of the national competitions are invited to attend The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, 9-11 March, 2027. During the Show, the winners will be celebrated at a festive awards dinner where up to five retailers will be further distinguished as gia Global Honourees and the winners of the Martin M. Pegler and gia Digital Commerce Awards will be announced.

 

How Previous Winners Have Benefited From Their gia Distinction: 

  • Finding new ideas and inspiration by networking and learning from other retail leaders, visual merchandising experts and other industry professionals
  • Getting extensive publicity in their home country and globally, resulting in a larger customer base and increased sales
  • Winning a trip to The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, March 9-11, 2027

For further information on the gia Awards, please visit:

https://www.theinspiredhomeshow.com/Awards/gia-Retailing/

 

To be considered for this award or to nominate a retailer please contact:

Michael Jorgenson
Manager of Environmental, Regulatory Affairs & Member Groups
Center for Consumer Products (CFCP)
1335 Morningside Ave., Suite 101, Toronto, Ontario M1B 5M4
(416) 282-0022 ext.134, mjorgenson@centerforconsumerproducts.com

To see the list of past gia Canada retail winners, visit:

https://www.centerforconsumerproducts.com/gia-awards/