Product of the Year South Africa 2027

Product of the Year is the largest consumer voted award for product innovation.  Product of the Year was created to champion new product innovation and provide consumers with a shortcut to the absolute best new products on the market.  It is not only an internationally recognised award but a proven ROI tool.

There are three key areas in which Product of the Year differs from other award programmes:

Trust
Product of the Year has been in operation for over 30 years. We work with innovation leaders such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Samsung, McCain and many more

Global
Product of the Year has a globally expanding footprint that currently has presence in over 40 countries. Each country operates under a similar goal: Guide consumers to the most innovative products on the market.

Independent
At its core, Product of the Year awards innovation through an independent survey of a wide range of consumers. The study is conducted by Kantar, one of the world’s leading marketing data and analytics businesses.

For the 2027 awards, entries are accepted from standard products launched between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2026. Entries are also accepted from Heritage products that have been in the market for 10 years or more.

Products must have national distribution and demonstrate meaningful consumer innovation in one of the following areas: function, design, packaging, ingredients. If you are not sure whether or not your product qualifies, please reach out to us. We’ll assist with regards to assessing your product in relation to the entry criteria.

We accept entries from products that demonstrate innovation in their function, design, packaging, or ingredients.

This could be a completely new product or a useful innovation to an existing product or brand, such as a new ingredient, redesigned shape or size, new formula (eg. less sugar) or new packaging (eg. user-friendly or sustainable).

Remember, it does not have to be revolutionary but should help to make the lives of consumers better/easier.

Please contact us directly if you have questions about your product.

We partner with Kantar, one of the world’s leading marketing data and analytics businesses to survey a wide ranging, nationally representative selection of consumers. The survey is designed to evaluate product innovation across several criteria, including product appeal, satisfaction, advocacy, purchase interest, uniqueness, relevance and excitement.

Yes. There is no limit on the number of products a brand or manufacturer may enter, on condition that all meet the entry requirements. The entry form on our website allows for 3 products to be entered.  Should you wish to enter more than three, please reach out to us for assistance.

The entry period for the 2027 Product of the Year programme is as follows:

Entries open on 1 October 2026 and close on 28 February 2027.

Early bird entries received from 1 October to 30 November 2026 qualify for a 25% discount on the Licence Fee if voted a winner. The Entry Fee is not discounted.

The broad range of categories under which products may be entered include but are not limited to: Food and Beverage; Health and Beauty; Personal Care; Household Products; Pet Supplies; Pharmaceuticals; Small Appliances; Consumer Electronics and Services among others.

The final list of categories each year is based on the products entered and determined by Product of the Year with the assistance of our research partner. This process is finalised once the entry period is concluded.

We work closely with our research partner to ensure that only comparable products are in competition with each other, and there are never less than two (2) or more than six (6) products in a category.

• The standard Entry Fee to submit an entry into the annual Product of the Year programme is R2,600.00 excluding VAT. For entries that receive an award, the Entry Fee paid will be credited against the Licence Fee.
• For entries that are voted “Product of the Year” by consumers, a one-time standard Licence Fee of R235,000.00 (Two Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand Rand) excluding VAT will be levied. This fee enables winners to promote their win in all brand communications, (on packaging, advertisements etc.) and to make use of the Product of the Year logo across all marketing campaigns for a period of one year.
• For qualifying early bird entries, the 25% discount reduces the Licence Fee to R176,250.00 (One Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Rand) excluding VAT. The Entry Fee remains R2,600.00 (ex VAT). After this Entry Fee is credited, the balance payable by an early bird winner is R173,650.00 (ex VAT).

Brands may not opt out once entries are submitted. By submitting your product for consideration, you are providing full commitment to the programme and the standard Licence Fee of R235,000.00 excluding VAT, or the discounted Licence Fee of R176,250.00 excluding VAT for qualifying early bird entries, should your product be voted Product of the Year by consumers.

• Winners have found numerous ways to benefit from Product of the Year over the past 30 years, among which, inclusion in a nationwide Product of the Year PR campaign.
• A comprehensive research analysis from our research partner survey carried out across a wide range of consumers. This covers product performance across each measure, including appeal, satisfaction, advocacy, purchase interest, uniqueness, relevance and excitement.
• Most importantly, winners receive a one-year licensing term on unlimited usage of the Product of the Year logo on all marketing material, the use of which has a proven track record of lifting sales and increasing ROI.

Product of the Year was founded in 1987 in France by former L’OREAL executive, Christian LeBret.

Product of the Year currently has programmes in over 40 countries globally.

For more information, contact Product of the Year South Africa on +27 11 783 5887 or send a mail to edith@productoftheyear.co.za

For questions regarding sponsorships and joint ventures, or other related queries, please contact Edith Venter at edith@productoftheyear.co.za  

For media enquiries, please contact edith@productoftheyear.co.za