More than 800 guests attended Endeavour Group’s 2025 Supplier Awards at Randwick last night, recognising leading suppliers across the sector.
The event showcased achievements across 14 categories, from product innovation and sustainability to brand activations and on-premise partnerships.
Endeavour Group’s Director of Merchandise & Buying, Tim Carroll, described suppliers as central to the group’s success.
“Our suppliers are the backbone of our industry. Without their passion and commitment, we couldn’t deliver the value, range and experiences our customers expect. The winners this year reflect what’s working in our industry right now: bold innovation, creating new occasions, and flawless execution. They are proof that when we focus together on these three things, the whole industry moves forward,” he said.
CEO Kate Beattie reinforced the importance of supplier partnerships in connecting with consumers.
She said: “Our suppliers are at the heart of how we show up for customers in our stores, in our hotels and online. The calibre of this year’s finalists and winners shows just how much passion, creativity and resilience exists across the sector, and we’re incredibly proud to recognise that.”
Spotlight on winners
Lion emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners, collecting multiple awards including Supply Chain of the Year, Account Team of the Year and Large Supplier of the Year.
Judges praised Lion’s ability to navigate industrial action with agility, its collaborative commercial approach, and its launch of the Ultra Zero Carb range, which was hailed as “a game-changing innovation that recruited a new generation of drinkers and grew the category”.
Asahi Beverages was also recognised across several categories, including On-Premise Supplier of the Year and Exclusive Product of the Year for its Hard Rated Lemon & Mango release. Judges called the product “a phenomenon,” highlighting its instant popularity and impressive Christmas sales volumes.
Smaller producers also took centre stage with Leogate Estate Wines named Small Supplier of the Year after posting 43 per cent growth, while Margaret River Beer Co. won Local Supplier of the Year for its success in bringing younger consumers into craft beer. Sustainability leadership was celebrated too, with Beachtree Distilling Co. winning for its tree-planting, renewable energy use and First Nations ownership.
Other highlights included Pernod Ricard’s St Hugo: Dan in Dan’s brand activation, which sold nearly 5,000 bottles in under a week; Campari’s Summer of Aperol MixIn campaign, credited with delivering 25 per cent sales growth; and Mountain Culture Beer Co.’s Have Your May’tes Back collaboration, which blended brand promotion with a workplace safety initiative.
2025 Supplier of the Year Award winners
Supply Chain of the Year: Lion
Sustainability Award: Beachtree Distilling Co.
Collaboration Award: Mountain Culture Beer Co. – “Have Your May’tes Back” campaign
Product Innovation Award: Lion – Ultra Zero Carb range
Best Brand Activation Award: Pernod Ricard – St Hugo: Dan in Dan’s
Digital Partner of the Year: Asahi Beverages – Big Footy Score
MixIn Campaign of the Year: Campari – Summer of Aperol
Account Team of the Year: Lion
Exclusive Product of the Year: Asahi Beverages – Hard Rated Lemon & Mango
Local Supplier of the Year: Margaret River Beer Co.
Trend Leader of the Year: Diageo – Smirnoff Crush
Small Supplier of the Year: Leogate Estate Wines
Large Supplier of the Year: Lion
On-Premise Supplier of the Year: Asahi Beverages