DOZENS of brands are celebrating after being shortlisted as finalists for this year’s London Packaging Week Innovation Awards.
Selected from hundreds of entries submitted by brands, designers and packaging innovators worldwide, the shortlist spans 18 categories and showcases projects described as combining smarter materials, refined engineering, circular thinking and an outstanding consumer experience.
Organisers revealed that, across the judging process, several clear industry shifts emerged. Fibre-based materials continue to replace conventional substrates, while mono-material construction is improving recyclability without compromising performance. Luxury brands are investing more heavily in engineering and craftsmanship to elevate the consumer experience, while everyday products are proving that exceptional design, accessibility and sustainability can coexist at scale.
This year’s shortlist features projects from brands including Prada, Miu Miu, Maison Margiela, Lancôme, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Jack Daniel’s, Glenmorangie, The LEGO Group, Dove, Lindt, Magnum, Heinz, Hotel Chocolat, Ocado Retail and Sainsbury’s, alongside the manufacturers, design agencies and innovators shaping the future of packaging.
The shortlist was selected by a panel comprising packaging leaders from Burberry, Glenmorangie, No7, Starbucks, PZ Cussons, Pladis, Diageo, Superdrug, Marks & Spencer, Müller, Pernod Ricard, Trinny London and Kingfisher, alongside experts from the Food & Drink Federation, British Beauty Council, ThePackHub and Re-sources. Together, they assessed every entry against five core criteria: creativity, technical execution, manufacturability, commercial effectiveness and environmental performance.
Christelle Anya, Chair of the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards, said, “The quality of this year’s entries was exceptional. What impressed the judges wasn’t simply beautiful packaging, but the intelligence behind it. The strongest projects solved multiple challenges simultaneously, combining outstanding design with smarter engineering, better material choices, stronger sustainability credentials and richer consumer experiences.
“Across almost every category, we saw evidence that packaging is entering a new era. Brands are moving beyond incremental improvements and fundamentally rethinking the role packaging plays in creating value, building trust and delivering memorable experiences. This shortlist captures that evolution and showcases some of the most intelligent packaging solutions being developed anywhere in the world today.”
All shortlisted entries will be showcased within the Innovation Awards Showcase at London Packaging Week. The winners will be revealed during a ceremony on the Luxury Stage on Thursday 17 September.
The full list of 2026 Innovation Awards Finalists is as follows:
Luxury
Fine Food & Gourmet (£20+)
Gifting The World Range – Hotel Chocolat
Pick Your Own – 220g – Audrey’s Chocolate
Gift Boxes / Limited Edition / One-of-a-Kind
Kiehl’s to the Rescue – Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream
Miu Miu Miutine Launch Mailer – Miu Miu
Miu Miu Miutine Love Notes Launch Mailer – Miu Miu
DAY&NIGHT – Sunday Riley
Bose x US Open Limited Edition Mailer – SoundLink Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Maison Margiela Tabi Collector Box – Maison Margiela
Lancôme Mascara Melter Launch Mailer – Lancôme Mascara Melter
Prada Paradigme Launch Mailer – Prada Paradigme
SYNA World ATM Card – SYNA World
Drinks
Non-Alcoholic Drinks (£30 or Under)
The Green One by Toby&Co – Toby&Co
Agua de Madre – Agua de Madre
Alcoholic (£30–£100)
Bardstown Bourbon Gifting Reimagined – Bardstown Bourbon
Black Shuck White Label Gin – Black Shuck White Label Gin
TRACES WINE – TRACES
Thunder Drinks Phonebox Bottle – Thunder Drinks
Alcoholic (£100–£1,000)
Glenmorangie The Thirty – Glenmorangie
Jack Daniel’s x McLaren Halo MK1 – Jack Daniel’s
Tullamore D.E.W. Heritage Collection – Tullamore D.E.W.
Hyper-Luxury & Bespoke (£1,000+)
The GlenAllachie 1990 / 35-year-old Cask Strength – The GlenAllachie
Limited Edition / Seasonal / One-of-a-Kind
Brink x Josh Aiyenuro Non-Alcoholic Margarita – Brink
Gloria Ferrer Wildflower Wine – Gloria Ferrer
Jack Daniel’s Honey Gift Experience Box – Jack Daniel’s
Kilchoman Distillery CASK 01 – Kilchoman Distillery
One Cask at a Time – Interactive Whisky Tasting Kit – One Cask at a Time
The Green One by Toby&Co – 4 Cans Gift Box – Toby&Co
Volcano Coffee Works – 12 Days of Flavour – Volcano Coffee Works
Beauty
Everyday Product (Under £25)
Dove Hair Innovation – Dove
Knuckle Gloss Wearable Lip Gloss – Laughter & Kandy Beauty
Natural Deodorant for Girls – Blossom & Beau
Lip Stick – Refy
Spritz 360 – Filter by Molly-Mae
Strength Workout Hair Mask – HairGym
Grow with Peppa Pig bath range – Peppa Pig
Premium Product (£25–£100)
Ameliorate: Body Care, Skin Care & Hair Care – Ameliorate
Fortnum & Mason Bath Truffles – Fortnum & Mason
GFYS Skin Fitness System – GFYS
Neroli Silk – Don Beauty
Tropic Skincare Christmas Gift Bags – Tropic Skincare
Tropic Skincare Christmas Gift Box – Tropic Skincare
Xyrena XHS Bottle System – Xyrena
Skin Base – Refy
Luxury Product (£100+)
Fortnum & Mason Beauty Box Duos – Fortnum & Mason
NOIR ELIXIR – Aaron Terence Hughes
STYLPRO Red Light Full Body Panel – STYLPRO
Miller Harris Trio Gift Set – Miller Harris
FMCG
Everyday Food (Under £20)
All That Matters – Superfood Puffs – All That Matters
Carte D’Or Sundae – Carte D’Or
Khourys Chocolate Love Letters – Khourys
Magnum Utopia Double Cherry & Double Hazelnut Ice Cream Sticks – Magnum
Heinz 1L Bottle – Heinz
Kizandy Sugar-Free Sours & Mini Mints – Kizandy
Minecraft Ice Cream Stick – Taste the Treasure – Wall’s
Twister Frrreeze – Twister
Seasonal Food & Gifting
Feasting Kits – Spice Kitchen
Harrods Best of British Giftset – Harrods
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Panettone – Sainsbury’s
Everyday Homeware (Under £50)
FOLI Set of Essential Dressings – FOLI
Freckleface RHS Chelsea Flower Show – Freckleface
Xyrena Stubz Air Freshener Trading Cards – Xyrena
Healthcare
SheMed 28-Day Supplement Wallet – SheMed
Hangov Pre-Drink – Hangov
Sustainability
Beauty & Personal Care
12 Days of ishga Calendar – Ishga
Bare la Terre Teddy Bare Moisturiser – Bare la Terre
Dove Refillable Deodorant & Antiperspirant Packaging System – Dove
FACE BALM STICK | AMAZONIAN GLOW – AUĒ NATURAL
Fudge Professional Haircare – Tube Restage – Fudge Professional
Handmade Aloe Vera & Upcycled Coffee Grounds with Sandalwood Essential Oil Soap – Valchemi London
Panda Skin Stick – rayro
Re[Sens] – Re[Sens]
Drinks
Belu Water – Cans – Belu
Classic Light Tonic Water 200ml – Forevea Farmers
Feddie Single Malt Whisky – Feddie Ocean Distillery
Win Win Water – Win Win Water
Food
BEPULP PULP ULTRA® – Belpulp
EcoCurve Pizza Box – EcoCurve
Frylight Recyclable Pump – Frylight
Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Egg Carton – Lindt
Ocado Own Brand Milk – Invisible UV Tagging – Ocado Retail
PACK’D Organic Pomegranate – PACK’D
Ready2Recycle Mono Material PE MET Flat Bottom Bag – Canagan Dog & Cat Food
Westaways Sausages – A Range of 900g Family Packs – Westaways
ZEROBOX – ZEROBOX
Consumer
Eco Pet Hair Roller – VOION
Little Coffee Cup and the Big Surprise – Little Coffee Cup
Packaging Toolkit – The LEGO Group
