7-Eleven Australia names WorkJam Partner of the Year

WorkJam has been named Partner of the Year by 7-Eleven Australia at the retailer's 2026 supplier and partner awards programme.

The honour recognises a partner that has consistently delivered services and operational support while contributing to business performance. More than 500 suppliers, partners and company leaders attended the event.

The recognition highlights the relationship between the workforce software provider and one of Australia's largest convenience chains. 7-Eleven operates more than 760 stores nationwide, giving the award a broad operational backdrop.

WorkJam's system supports communications with frontline staff, task management and workforce engagement across the store network. The annual awards recognise suppliers and partners that have made an "outstanding impact" on the business over the past year.

Frontline focus

The award comes as retailers invest more heavily in tools to manage large, dispersed workforces. Operators are under pressure to keep store teams informed, maintain consistency across locations and respond quickly to changing customer demand.

That has expanded the market for platforms that combine staff communications with scheduling, operational workflows and store-level execution. In sectors such as convenience retail, where thousands of employees work across hundreds of sites, these systems are increasingly embedded in day-to-day operations rather than limited to back-office administration.

Stewart MacDonald, WorkJam's Director of Operations for APAC, linked the award to the companies' ongoing work together in Australia.

"Frontline workers are at the heart of every retail experience, and we're incredibly proud to support one of Australia's most innovative and customer-focused convenience brands," MacDonald said.

"To be recognised as Partner of the Year by 7-Eleven Australia is a fantastic achievement for our local team and a reflection of the close collaboration between our organisations. Together, we've focused on making communication faster, operations smoother, and the employee experience stronger for 7-Eleven's incredible team members across Australia."

Retail pressures

The Australian retail sector has been grappling with familiar operational challenges, including labour turnover, uneven staffing patterns and the need to deliver a more consistent customer experience across large store estates. Those pressures have increased the importance of systems that can reach frontline staff directly rather than relying on managers to pass on information manually.

For convenience chains, the issue is especially acute because stores often operate with lean staffing and extended trading hours. Delays in communication or task execution can affect service levels, compliance routines and the speed at which promotions or new initiatives reach shop floors.

Andy Nicholas, WorkJam's Vice President of Sales for APAC, said retailers were moving to give frontline employees the same standard of digital access as office-based teams.

"Retailers today operate in incredibly dynamic environments, where speed, consistency and engagement matter more than ever," Nicholas said.

"Platforms that unify communications, scheduling, task management and operational workflows are becoming essential to modern retail operations. We're proud to help organisations like 7-Eleven better connect and empower their frontline workforce."

The award comes as 7-Eleven marks 50 years in Australia. The company continues to focus on convenience, food and beverage offers, network expansion and customer experience as it competes in a market that has become more crowded and more digitally managed.

Supplier relationships play a central role in that model, particularly in areas tied to store execution and employee operations. Retailers are relying on external technology providers not just for software procurement, but for systems that shape how work is organised in stores every day.

Fiona Hayes, Chief Executive Officer of 7-Eleven Australia, used the awards programme to underline the role of suppliers and partners in the company's performance.

"The contribution that our partners and suppliers make is vital to our shared success," Hayes said.