Leadership Awards – Retail Jeweller India Forum

Business Excellence Awards

In a dynamic and competitive jewellery industry, excellence is reflected in every aspect of a business, from bold ideas and breakthrough strategies to technology, customer experience, workplace culture, growth and meaningful impact.

The Retail Jeweller Business Excellence Awards recognises the achievements, initiatives, businesses and individuals that are setting new benchmarks and advancing jewellery retail. Across business models, markets and stages of growth, the awards celebrate excellence that is shaping a stronger future for the industry.

Timeline

Entries Period:
Oct 2025 – Sept 2026

The eligible period for entries spans from October 2025 to September 2026.

Registration:
9 Sept – 31 Oct 2026

Registrations open on 9th September 2026 and close on 31st October 2026.

Excellence Evaluation:
15 Nov 2026

The jury convenes to evaluate entries and finalise the winners.

Awards Night:
6 Jan 2027

Winners will be announced and honoured at the Awards Ceremony.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Excellence in Integrated Marketing

Recognises excellence in building brand awareness and driving business through impactful, multi-channel marketing campaigns.
Entries should demonstrate an integrated approach across platforms, with consistency in brand communication, positioning and customer engagement.
Submissions should outline the campaign objective, channel integration, execution, innovation and measurable impact on brand visibility and business performance.

Excellence in Digital Brand Marketing

Recognises excellence in building a strong and effective digital brand presence across relevant online platforms.
Entries should demonstrate compelling content and storytelling, innovative digital marketing and meaningful audience engagement or community building.
Submissions should include evidence of digital campaigns, content strategy and measurable performance through relevant analytics or platform data.

Excellence in Online Retail

Recognises excellence in building and scaling an effective online jewellery retail business through a brand-owned e-commerce platform.
Entries should demonstrate growth in online sales, customer acquisition, digital commerce innovation and scalability, supported where relevant by social commerce, quick commerce or marketplaces.
Submissions should include measurable evidence of online business performance, customer growth and the overall growth trajectory of the e-commerce business.

Excellence in Omni Channel Brand

Recognises excellence in creating a connected customer journey across digital and physical retail channels.
Entries should demonstrate how customers can move between website, app and store while retaining continuity in profile, cart, inventory visibility and shopping progress.
Submissions should include the key omni-channel strategy, customer journey visuals or screenshots, initiatives undertaken, customer feedback and measurable adoption or business results.

Excellence in Technology Integration

Recognises excellence in the meaningful adoption of technology to improve business operations and retail performance.
Entries should demonstrate how technology has enhanced customer experience, employee productivity, processes, efficiency or overall business effectiveness.
Submissions should include evidence of the technology implemented and measurable outcomes resulting from its adoption.

Excellence in People Welfare, Workplace Culture and motivation

Recognises excellence in building a positive, engaging and people-focused workplace culture.
Entries should demonstrate initiatives around employee well-being, learning, skill development, incentives, recognition, career growth, team building and inclusive workplace practices.
Submissions should include evidence of the impact of these initiatives on employee performance, engagement and retention, with eNPS data where available.

Excellence in Customer Centricity

Recognises excellence in building a customer-first culture across the organisation.
Entries should demonstrate initiatives around loyalty, personalised engagement, customer feedback, after-sales service, complaint resolution, staff training and the use of customer insights.
Submissions should include evidence of customer policies and service initiatives along with measurable improvements in satisfaction, repeat purchases or customer retention.

Excellence in CSR Commitment & Impact

Recognises sustained commitment to CSR through purposeful initiatives that create meaningful and measurable social impact.
Entries should demonstrate the scale, reach, sustainability and quality of execution of CSR programmes, with employee or stakeholder participation where applicable.
Submissions should include details of CSR initiatives undertaken during the eligibility period, beneficiaries reached, implementation, participation and measurable outcomes achieved.

Excellence in CSR Project

Recognises excellence in the execution and impact of one specific CSR project.
Entries should demonstrate the project’s relevance to the community, quality of execution, purpose and alignment with the organisation’s core values.
Submissions should focus on a single project and include evidence of beneficiaries reached, implementation and measurable impact.

Retail Start Up of the year

Recognises emerging jewellery retail brands that demonstrate a differentiated proposition, innovation and strong market potential.
Entries should highlight distinctive brand positioning, retail concept or business model, product or design differentiation, digital adoption, customer acquisition and consistency of brand experience.
Submissions should include measurable evidence of growth in sales, customers, reach or store presence, along with proof of market traction and potential to scale sustainably.

New Age Brand of the year

Recognises modern jewellery retail brands that are redefining the customer experience through design, personalisation and contemporary retail thinking.
Entries should demonstrate originality in product or design language, thoughtful visual merchandising, personalised selling and a curated retail environment.
Submissions should show how the brand creates a distinctive and consistent experience across products, store design and communication while appealing to evolving consumer segments.

Independant Jeweller of the Year

Recognises independent jewellery retailers that demonstrate strong market leadership and business excellence within their state.
Entries should highlight business growth, innovation in product, promotion and retail experience, along with strong customer trust and market standing.
Submissions should include evidence of business performance, customer strength and leadership within the market in which the brand operates.

Regional Retail Chain of the Year

Recognises jewellery retail chains that demonstrate strong leadership and business performance across their home region.
Entries should highlight regional presence, customer trust, business growth, expansion and excellence across key areas of retail.
Submissions should include evidence of regional market leadership, customer strength and measurable business performance across more than one state within the region.

Next-Gen Leader of the Year

Recognises next-generation leaders who have made a measurable contribution to the growth and transformation of their business.
Entries should demonstrate leadership, initiative, strategic thinking, innovation and new business or organisational transformations introduced during the leader’s tenure.
Submissions should include evidence of business growth, leadership achievements and measurable impact created by the individual.

Debutant of the Year

Recognises emerging next-generation leaders who have demonstrated strong initiative and impact within the first few years of entering the business.
Entries should highlight innovation, measurable contribution, leadership qualities and the ability to challenge conventional approaches.
Submissions should include evidence of achievements since entering the industry and demonstrate the individual’s potential for future business growth and leadership.

Visionary Leader of the Year

Recognises industry leaders whose long-term vision has created transformational impact within their organisation and beyond.
The assessment will consider visionary thinking, innovation, sustained growth, strategic achievements and influence across the wider jewellery industry.
Evidence should demonstrate long-term leadership impact, lasting contribution and the ability to shape the direction of the business or industry.

Women Leader of the Year

Recognises women leaders who have demonstrated sustained leadership and meaningful impact on business, people and organisational growth.
The assessment will consider innovation, long-term contribution, business performance and the leader’s influence within the jewellery industry.
Evidence should demonstrate leadership achievements, organisational impact and a sustained contribution to the growth and development of the business.

Special Contribution to the Industry

Recognises individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the jewellery industry beyond their immediate business interests.
The assessment will consider initiatives in advocacy, mentorship, ecosystem building, industry development and other areas that have created wider sectoral impact.
Evidence should demonstrate measurable industry-wide contribution, influence and recognition among peers.

Lifetime Achievement in Retail

Recognises an individual’s sustained excellence and long-term contribution to the jewellery retail industry.
The assessment will consider retail leadership, industry influence, enduring business contribution and the legacy created over the course of the individual’s career.
Evidence should demonstrate a significant and lasting contribution to retail along with widespread respect and recognition within the industry.

Lifetime Achievement in Manufacturing

Recognises an individual’s sustained excellence and long-term contribution to the jewellery manufacturing industry.
The assessment will consider leadership, contribution to manufacturing advancement, industry influence and the legacy created over the course of the individual’s career.
Evidence should demonstrate a significant and lasting contribution to manufacturing along with widespread respect and recognition within the industry.

GUIDELINES FOR ENTRY

Submission Guidelines

Each category has specific criteria. Submissions must adhere to these to be considered.
Entries may be submitted across multiple categories at no additional fee.
The nomination form must be fully completed, including a 300-word statement detailing contributions and achievements.
All submissions must be in English.
All supporting documents must be self-attested and submitted as required.
Incomplete entries or missing documents will lead to disqualification.
Once submitted, entries cannot be modified.
Submission Guidelines for all categories are attached for your reference.

Fees & Deadlines

Participation Fee: ₹50,000 + 18% GST (non-refundable)
Entries without fee payment will not be considered
Submission Deadline: 31 October 2026
Late submissions may be accepted at the discretion of the Awards Management

Judging & Verification

Awards Management and an independent jury will review all eligible entries.

The jury reserves the right to:

Verify submitted information
Request additional documentation
Disqualify entries with incorrect or misleading claims

False information at any stage will result in disqualification and withdrawal of any awards conferred.
Awards Management may contact references provided for verification.

Awards Process & Communication

Finalists will be notified via email in December 2026
Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 6 January 2027
Participants must provide required documents within 30 days of notification
A maximum of three contact attempts will be made; non-response may result in forfeiture
Awards not claimed within 30 days will be forfeited

Use of Submitted Content

By participating, nominees grant Awards Management the right to use submitted content for publicity across:

Websites, social media, press, trade publications, and event promotions.
Content may be edited and displayed in full or in part.

Prohibited Activities

Participants must not:

Upload viruses, malware, or malicious code
Attempt unauthorized access or disrupt the website or server
Tamper with entry processes or data

Legal Terms

Participation does not guarantee selection or recognition
Awards Management reserves the right to amend, withdraw, or cancel the Awards at any stage
All decisions by the jury or Awards Management are final and binding
Any disputes will be governed by Indian law, with jurisdiction in Mumbai

Contact

For queries, contact SPOC:
Priya Rangdal – 89769 07876

NOMINATE

Honorary Awards

Recognising individuals whose leadership, contribution and impact have shaped the jewellery industry.

The Honorary Awards are conferred based on The Retail Jeweller’s independent industry research and evaluation.

If you believe your own journey, or the contribution of someone you know, deserves to be considered, you may also submit a nomination for review.

Visionary Leader of the Year

Recognises industry leaders whose long-term vision has created transformational impact within their organisation and beyond.
The assessment will consider visionary thinking, innovation, sustained growth, strategic achievements and influence across the wider jewellery industry.
Evidence should demonstrate long-term leadership impact, lasting contribution and the ability to shape the direction of the business or industry.

Women Leader of the Year

Recognises women leaders who have demonstrated sustained leadership and meaningful impact on business, people and organisational growth.
The assessment will consider innovation, long-term contribution, business performance and the leader’s influence within the jewellery industry.
Evidence should demonstrate leadership achievements, organisational impact and a sustained contribution to the growth and development of the business.

Special Contribution to the Industry

Recognises individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the jewellery industry beyond their immediate business interests.
The assessment will consider initiatives in advocacy, mentorship, ecosystem building, industry development and other areas that have created wider sectoral impact.
Evidence should demonstrate measurable industry-wide contribution, influence and recognition among peers.

Lifetime Achievement in Retail

Recognises an individual’s sustained excellence and long-term contribution to the jewellery retail industry.
The assessment will consider retail leadership, industry influence, enduring business contribution and the legacy created over the course of the individual’s career.
Evidence should demonstrate a significant and lasting contribution to retail along with widespread respect and recognition within the industry.

Lifetime Achievement in Manufacturing

Recognises an individual’s sustained excellence and long-term contribution to the jewellery manufacturing industry.
The assessment will consider leadership, contribution to manufacturing advancement, industry influence and the legacy created over the course of the individual’s career.
Evidence should demonstrate a significant and lasting contribution to manufacturing along with widespread respect and recognition within the industry.

To suggest Names, kindly email us to: priya.rangdal@theretailjeweller.com

TIMELINE

Timeline

Entries Period:
Oct 2025 – Sept 2026

The eligible period for entries spans from October 2025 to September 2026.

Registration:
9 Sept – 31 Oct 2026

Registrations open on 9th September 2026 and close on 31st October 2026.

Excellence Evaluation:
15 Nov 2026

The jury convenes to evaluate entries and finalise the winners.

Awards Night:
6 Jan 2027

Winners will be announced and honoured at the Awards Ceremony.

30 November 2025

All nomination forms must be submitted online

27 December 2025.

Award finalists will be notified via email

7 January 2026

Finalists will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony, where winners will be announced during a celebratory dinner.

30 November 2025

All nomination forms must be submitted online

27 December 2025.

Award finalists will be notified via email

7 January 2026

Finalists will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony, where winners will be announced during a celebratory dinner.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligibility:
– Open to retail jewellery companies, brands, or individuals with a walk-in retail outlet active in India.
– The retail business can be in any jewellery stream, as the awards honour leadership in the jewellery business, keeping it category-agnostic. It will include gold, precious gemstones, silver, lab-grown, or any other.

Multiple Nominations: There is no limit to the number of nominations. A separate form must be submitted for each nominee.

Self-Nominations: Self-nominations are welcome.

Event Attendance: All nominees, nominators, and recipients are encouraged to attend the Awards Ceremony on 6 January 2027.

Nomination Form: Complete the official online nomination form, including a written statement outlining the nominee’s contributions and achievements.

Supporting Materials: Upload high-resolution photographs of the nominee, store, or team, along with any supporting documents.

Video Nominations: To submit a recorded nomination, please contact us for further details.