Categories and Criteria
Make sure to carefully note the criteria before submitting your entry.
This category is dedicated to high-end packaging for fine foods, fashion, jewellery, watches, leather goods, eyewear and luxury goods.
Subcategories:
- Premium / Luxury Packaging: Fine Food & Gourmet – £20–£100
- Premium / Luxury Packaging: Fashion & Accessories
- Best Gift Boxes / Limited Edition / One-of-a-Kind Packs.
Please note we will request RRP for all categories and quantity of products made.
This category includes skincare, haircare, makeup, fragrance, beauty accessories, beauty gifting, advent calendars and makeup bags.
Subcategories:
- Everyday Perfume, Cosmetics & Personal Care – Under £25
- Premium Perfume, Cosmetics & Personal Care – £25–£100
- Luxury Perfume, Cosmetics & Personal Care – £100+
- Limited Edition / Seasonal / One-of-a-Kind Creations
Please note we will request RRP for all categories and quantity of products made.
This category includes non-alcoholic drinks, alcoholic beverages, seasonal launches and limited editions.
Subcategories:
- Non-Alcoholic Drinks
- Alcoholic Drinks – £30 or Under
- Premium Alcoholic Drinks – £30–£100
- Luxury Alcoholic Drinks – £100–£1,000
- Hyper-Luxury & Bespoke – £1,000+
- Limited Edition / Seasonal / One-of-a-Kind Packs
Please note we will request RRP for all categories and quantity of products made.
This category includes food products, seasonal gifting, homeware, healthcare and consumer goods.
Subcategories:
- Everyday Food – Under £20
- Seasonal Food & Gifting
- Everyday Homeware – Under £50
- Premium Homeware – £50–£100
- Healthcare
Please note we will request RRP for all categories and quantity of products made.
NEW for 2026:
Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year
The Sustainability Packaging Innovation of the Year Awards recognise brands that are delivering measurable, scalable and commercially viable environmental progress through packaging.
Entries must clearly demonstrate quantifiable improvements and explain how sustainability has been embedded into the overall packaging strategy.
Entry Eligibility:
The Innovation Awards are open to products that have launched, or are due to launch, in the UK market between April 2025 and May 2026.
Important:
- Entries may be submitted by brand owners only.
- Products must be finished, market-ready products.
- We recommend seeking collaboration or approval from relevant stakeholders involved in the pack’s development.
Subcategories:
- Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year – Beauty & Personal Care: Recognising breakthrough packaging innovation in skincare, haircare, fragrance, cosmetics and beauty gifting.
- Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year – Drinks: Honouring brands redefining sustainability in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year – Food: Recognising sustainable transformation in food and seasonal gifting packaging.
- Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year – Homeware & Consumer: For homeware, healthcare and general consumer goods.
- Sustainable Packaging Innovation of the Year – Luxury: Celebrating brands proving that sustainability and luxury can coexist.
Criteria:
Material Innovation
- Use of recycled, renewable or alternative materials
- Reduction of high-impact or virgin materials
- Maintains performance and quality with measurable environmental benefit
Circularity & Reusability
- Refillable, returnable, or reusable formats
- Clear recycling or disposal pathways
- Practical and adopted by consumers
Waste & Carbon Reduction
- Lightweighting or fewer components
- Improved transport/logistics efficiency
- Quantifiable reductions, scalable across ranges
Consumer Engagement
- Clear, credible sustainability messaging
- Encourages reuse, recycling or responsible behaviour
- Evidence of consumer adoption or impact
Industry & Market Impact
- Adoption across multiple SKUs or ranges
- Integration into brand strategy
- Sets new benchmarks while remaining commercially viable
TIP: You do not need to cover all criteria. Focus on the elements that best showcase your innovation and impact – judges will evaluate the entry based on its strengths.
CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY
Entry Eligibility: The Innovation Awards are open to products that have launched, or are due to launch, in the UK market between April 2025 and May 2026.
IMPORTANT: Entries to the Innovation Awards may be submitted by brand owners only.
We recommend that, where possible, you seek the collaboration or approval of any clients or stakeholders in the pack’s development to enter the awards.
Technological Innovation
- Describe how your packaging introduces technical or structural advancements.
- Include smart or connected features, material innovations, or production efficiencies.
Provide evidence of impact on performance, durability, or logistics.
Design Excellence
- Highlight creativity, aesthetics, craftsmanship, and brand alignment.
- Include materials, finishes, detailing, and structural innovation.
- Show shelf impact and how it stands out in the category.
Consumer Experience
- Explain how packaging improves usability, accessibility, and emotional engagement.
- Include unboxing experience, personalization, or interactive features.
- Show evidence of insight informing design.
Market & Commercial Impact
- Demonstrate measurable results: sales, market differentiation, or trade acceptance.
- Highlight scalability and influence on category trends.
- Include evidence of commercial value and long-term strategy.
You do not need to cover all criteria. Focus on the elements that best showcase your innovation and impact – judges will evaluate the entry based on its strengths.
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY
MEET THE JUDGES
2025 WINNERS
Frequently asked questions
What are the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards?
The Innovation Awards celebrate the best innovations in the UK packaging industry. Following on from the successful second year of the awards, this year will see a 20+ judges assess your packs all from different backgrounds and expertise in the world of luxury, beauty, drinks, and FMCG.
Who can enter?
Brands of products!
If you’re a supplier or a designer and you’d like to put a brand forward, you can most certainly apply as well, but, it must be with the consent of a brand, and should you win, someone from the brand must come on stage with the supplier or design agency to receive the prize.
When do entries close?
Entries close on Friday 24 April 2026. You will also need to send us a sample of your product to our offices in Twickenham by Friday 22 May.
Can I enter more than one product?
Yes! There is no limit on how many products you can enter. Increase your chance of winning by submitting more products.
What do I need to include when sending my product sample?
Please print out and include the product sample form to send with your submission for us to review.
Do I have to pay to enter?
No – the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards is a free-to-enter competition.
Can I submit an ongoing project?
The products you submit need to be available to the public in the UK market between April 2025 and May 2026. Anything that’s not available will not be accepted.
How are the awards judged?
The awards are judged by an independent panel of industry professional from leading brands who are looking for:
- Transformative, technical or process driven innovations
- Innovation linked to the consumer experience.
- Emotional connection and brand expression
- Quality of packaging perceived.
- Sustainable and environmentally conscious
When will the finalist and winners be announced?
The finalists will be announced in early August.
The winners will be announced on day 2 of London Packaging Week on Thursday 17 September.
Any more questions? Please reach out!
Reach out to marketing@londonpackagingweek.com for more information.