In addition to the internal awards at Countdown’s annual gala dinner, key suppliers were recognised for their contribution to the retailer.
The major award, the Supreme Supplier of the Year, went to produce company Leaderbrand who also took out the top produce category title. The best supplier of meat and seafood went to Ingham Enterprises, and the deli and perishables title was taken out by Epicurean Dairy.
Yarrows Bakery won the top bakery supplier award while Wilson Consumer was named the best supplier of cooking and baking products. Bluebird Foods were named top breakfast and snacking supplier, Coca-Cola Amatil was the best beverage supplier and Earthwise was named best non-food and general merchandise supplier.
The awards continued with the best liquor supplier being Independent Liquor, the best product of the year title went to CCA’s Kiwi Blue Still Water, the best promotion of the year went to Mondelez and Kevin Gullen of Arnotts was named as Countdown’s best supplier account manager of the year.

Bakery Supplier of the Year - Yarrows Bakery

Beverages Supplier of the Year - CocaCola Amatil Ltd

Deli and Perishables Supplier of the Year - Epicurean Dairy

Grocery Beverages Supplier of the Year - CocaCola Amatil Ltd

Grocery Breakfast Snacking Supplier of the Year - Bluebird Foods Ltd

Grocery Cooking & Baking Supplier of the Year - Wilson Consumer Ltd

Innovation and Partner Promotion of the Year - Mondelez New Zealand

Key Account Manager of the Year - Kevin Gullen from Arnott’s New Zealand

Liquor Supplier of the Year - Independent Liquor NZ

Meat and Seafood Supplier of the Year - Inghams Enterprises NZ

Produce Supplier of the year & Supreme Supplier of the Year - Leaderbrand

Product of the Year - Kiwi Blue Still Water 1.5L (CocaCola Amatil (NZ) Ltd)