Yaye wins inaugural retail First Nations small business award
Australian retail’s biggest night returned this year in spectacular fashion, with hundreds of industry leaders gathering at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium for the 2026 All Star Bash.
This year marked a significant milestone with the introduction of the new First Nations category, developed in partnership with Aboriginal Retail Australia.
The first-ever winner of the Top First Nations Small Business Award was Yaye, a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned bath and skincare brand based in Darwin that incorporates traditional bush medicines into its products.
The award was created to champion First Nations–led enterprises that are achieving both commercial success and meaningful community impact through e-commerce and modern retail.
“Winning the Top First Nations Small Business Award is an incredible honour,” Melissa Cole, founder of Yaye, said.
Through Yaye we’re sharing the power of native Australian botanicals and bush medicines through premium skincare and amenities, while creating opportunities for First Nations businesses across retail and procurement.”
New benchmark
The inaugural category attracted a strong group of finalists representing a diverse range of First Nations-led brands across Australia. The 2026 finalists included Clothing The Gaps, Gardening on Country, Kakadu Organics, Melbourne Jerky, Songlines, Yaala Sparkling and Yaye.
Liz Liddle, Chair of Aboriginal Retail Australia, said the award represents an important step forward for recognition within the sector.
“The Top First Nations Small Business Award sets a new benchmark for inclusion and recognition across the retail sector,” she said.
“For the first time, First Nations retailers are being recognised through an industry award that acknowledges the contribution and entrepreneurship of First Nations brands. Celebrating First Nations retailers alongside Australia’s leading brands helps drive opportunity.”
Ms Liddle added that Yaye stood out for its strong growth and commitment to developing its e-commerce capabilities while expanding wholesale opportunities over the past 12 months.
Power Retail Founder Grant Arnott said the new category reflected the evolving retail landscape and commitment to highlighting diverse businesses that are shaping the future of Australian e-commerce.
“We were honoured to present this award to Yaye and can’t wait to see how their business continues to evolve,” he said.
