Winners of the 2025 Retailer of the Year award announced

Lidl Magyarország celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024, while further strengthening its market-leader position by opening new stores and achieving 14% sales growth. The store in Érdliget serves locals with sustainable technologies, a wide range of Hungarian products and a customer-friendly design, attracting more than 15,000 visitors a week. The store’s special features include packaging-free products, the “Let’s Save It!” programme and a range of foods designed for people with special dietary needs. Lidl’s goal is to satisfy all kinds of customer needs with high-quality domestic products and innovative solutions, with an excellent price-value ratio.

The experience gift market is increasingly popular in Hungary and the company offers more than 1,700 different experiences through 400 partners, providing lasting moments instead of objects. The focus isn’t on coupon discounts but on quality, special experiences that customers can access at the original prices of the service providers. The company operates in a family atmosphere, responding quickly and flexibly to market changes, while serving more than 250,000 customers during its 11 years of operation. It is one of the top three domestic experience gift web stores, with annual turnover exceeding HUF 1 billion, and it builds its communication through multiple social platforms.

The Príma supermarket in Alsónémedi operates on the basis of a value system built on “respect.” It serves its customers with a fresh and wide range of products, locally produced food, sustainable operations and active community involvement. The store uses modern technologies such as solar panels, digital price tags, eco-cooling and a customer-friendly layout to make shopping an enjoyable and environmentally conscious experience. Its uniqueness is reinforced by its adaptation to local needs, appreciation of its employees and direct, personal customer relations. The store has become an important meeting place and respected community player in the town.

With an investment of more than HUF 1.2 billion, the INTERSPAR hypermarket in Székesfehérvár, which was renovated in 2024, has become one of the most modern and versatile stores in the region, where sustainability, customer experience and employee satisfaction are the three pillars that define its operation. The redesigned interior, environmentally friendly technologies (LED lighting, CO2 cooling) and refurbished equipment are good examples of the practical application of circular economy principles. The store’s wide range of products, collaboration with local producers and digital solutions provide a personalised experience for all target groups. The hypermarket also functions as a logistics centre and plays an active role in reducing food waste, e.g. through the Munch platform. 

The Príma Corvin supermarket aims to provide a modern, convenient and inspiring shopping experience in the heart of the city centre, with a premium product selection and friendly service. The 3,500m² store serves conscious, time-efficient shoppers with its own bakery, grill counter, salad bar, digital systems and a wide range of products. The store’s design is aesthetic and well-structured, with a focus on freshness, functionality and sustainability. The shopping experience is supported by well-planned services and strong online communication.

Buda Gourmet Market by Príma is a stylish, premium food store in Buda that combines Hungarian values, quality and a great shopping experience. The store has its own bakery, serves fresh hot meals every day and offers more than 150 types of fruit and vegetables, as well as artisan and organic products, catering to conscious and gourmet shoppers. The special atmosphere evokes the world of Western European gourmet shops, while its sustainable and practical operation also protects the environment. The award-winning store delivers an inspiring experience that appeals to all the senses.

Lindt has been building its Hungarian brand store network since 2019 and by 2025 it will have eight premium stores in Budapest, serving customers with a uniform image and an expanding selection of products. The reopened and enlarged Lindt Store in Westend stands out not only in terms of size, but also in terms of its product range: in addition to chocolate, it now offers ice cream, milkshakes and coffee. Lindt stores are built on experience-based shopping, with exclusive products, seasonal designs and gift wrapping options, creating strong brand loyalty. Their outstanding results are supported by creative marketing, influencer campaigns and on-site activities.  

Fornetti’s customer-focused and innovative concept is evident in all areas of business development, while its products are accessible to all age groups and lifestyles. The fresh, modern image and state-of-the-art service solutions harmoniously enhance the customer experience, with traffic increasing by 100% after the renovation. The brand’s communication strengthens sales and customer relationships by coordinating traditional and digital channels. This makes Fornetti a true favourite for everyone, where quality, innovation and customer experience go hand in hand. 

Located in Budapest’s Árkád Shopping Centre, Rossmann is the chain’s 250th store in Hungary and a milestone in the company’s history, with a modern design, sustainable operations and serving 1,600 customers a day. In addition to its wide product selection, it helps customers make informed decisions with interactive, illuminated shelf-end solutions, testers and digital shopping support. The Rossmann+ loyalty programme, excellent value for money and environmental awareness all contribute to the store’s popularity. In 2025 the store won the Store of the Year award in the drugstore category, confirming its innovative and customer-focused approach. 

Auchan GO is Hungary’s first fully automated, unmanned, 0-24 hour digital store, offering a contactless shopping experience with special technologies, AI-based cameras, weight-sensing shelves and QR code entry. The concept wishes to redefine fast and convenient shopping while ensuring sustainable, paperless and energy-efficient operation. The store, which is only 18m² in size, targets young, digitally savvy shoppers and offers a selection of products tailored to different lifestyles. The project isn’t only a technological innovation, but also a mindset shift that brings the Auchan brand closer to new target groups.

Tesco opened its modern, customer-friendly Express store on Pozsonyi Road in the 13th district in just two months, with an investment of HUF 130 million. The store offers 3,800 products, including premium and free-from items, as well as fresh baked goods every day. Convenience was a key consideration in the design of the store: self-checkouts, the Scan&Shop app, fast home delivery and a wheelchair-accessible environment serve the local community. The store joined the food rescue programme on its opening day and has donated more than 4 tonnes of leftover food to those in need so far. Convenient shopping and a family-friendly atmosphere combine to make the new Tesco a reliable and beloved store in the neighbourhood.

The BENU 2.0 concept brought a modern pharmacy experience to the BENU Pharmacy on Széna Square, with a bright, friendly space and a customer-friendly layout. The emphasis on prevention, the wide product selection, including own brands and dermocosmetics, and the newly designed LIVSANE furniture offer an outstanding customer experience. Since the 2024 refurbishment they have achieved significant sales growth, with sales of own brands nearly doubling. With digital displays, modern design and expert advice, BENU goes beyond the traditional pharmacy function and becomes a community health centre.

Fulker H+F Kft. has been offering professional, comprehensive tableware solutions for hotels, restaurants and event venues for over 30 years, from consulting to delivery. In 2024 they opened a new 240m² showroom and a 1200m² warehouse in the Park22 Logistics Centre, which supports experience-based decision-making and fast service. Uniquely, they conduct on-site serving trials, assisting partners with project management and visual designs to create customised solutions. Through their innovative model and large inventory, they build long-term, personal partnerships, not just sales.

In 2024 dm implemented significant developments in the areas of digitalisation, sustainability, logistics and business development, while striving for efficient operations and high quality. Outstanding achievements included the introduction of a uniform IT system covering all dm countries, the introduction of a combined delivery model and investments in store energy efficiency. Employee training, well-being and social engagement were given high priority, as were education and health promotion. Sales grew by double digits, and customer loyalty and sustainable operations contributed to dm maintaining its market-leader position.

The award was received by Hittner Krisztina, a dm PR-csoportvezetője

In connection with its 30th anniversary in 2024, METRO strengthened its wholesale role with a strategic renewal, modernising the classic Cash & Carry model with delivery and digital channels. It provided significant support to the hospitality industry with innovative solutions, own brand products, sustainable gastronomic programmes and the Gastro Academy’s educational programmes. It also focused on the development, retention and well-being of employees, while making stores more efficient and greener through energy upgrades. Its business results were based on high-level partnerships, service-based operations and offerings tailored to price-sensitive and professional buyers.