MD & CEO Awards
In a dynamic and competitive jewellery industry, leadership defines success. As brands adopt new technologies, diversify portfolios, and pursue operational excellence, it’s the vision of MDs and CEOs that drives transformation. The Retail Jeweller India MD & CEO Awards celebrates this leadership—recognising trailblazers across business models, markets, and growth stages who are shaping the future of the industry.
Timeline
Entries Period:
Oct 2025 – Sept 2026
The eligible period for entries spans from October 2025 to September 2026.
Registration:
1 Sept – 31 Oct 2026
Registrations open on 1st September 2026 and close on 31st October 2026.
Jury Meet:
20 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
Best Strategic and Integrated Marketing of the Year
Recognises excellence in building brand awareness and driving business through impactful, multi-channel marketing campaigns.
Entries must include a minimum of four touchpoints such as television, print, radio, OOH, social media, and experiential.
Submissions should clearly outline the campaign’s objective, consumer insight, creative idea, media plan, execution, and results.
Best Digital / Social Media Marketing of the Year
Honours achievements in business growth where digital is the lead medium.
Entries must detail the initiative’s objective, consumer insight, creative strategy, media plan, execution, and outcomes.
Digital marketing should account for at least 50% of total media spend in integrated campaigns.
Best Omni-Channel Brand of the Year
Celebrates brands that have effectively integrated online and offline strategies to drive consumer engagement and sales.
Entries must highlight the initiative, call to action, and measurable performance outcomes.
Submissions should demonstrate how both offline and online channels were leveraged to enhance product or service discovery.
Best CSR Impact of the Year
Recognises brands that have gone beyond business to drive meaningful social impact through innovative and sustainable CSR initiatives.
Entries should showcase contributions to community development and measurable impact on society and the environment.
Best Customer Experience of the Year
Honours innovations in enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction across digital and physical touchpoints.
Entries must demonstrate practical, customer-centric solutions that elevate service and experience standards.
Best Workplace and People Welfare & Development
Celebrates initiatives that have fostered a strong people culture and enriched employee experience.
Submissions should detail efforts around engagement, team building, retention, well-being, and measurable impact on performance.
Emerging Retail Start-up of the Year
Recognises a retail start-up (less than five years old) demonstrating strong year-on-year growth.
Entries must showcase growth in customer base, brand awareness, conversions, and overall business performance.
Emerging E-Retail Start-up of the Year
Honours an e-retail start-up (less than five years old) with significant digital-first business expansion.
Entries must highlight growth in customers, brand visibility, conversions, and revenue.
Best Family-Managed Business
Recognises a brand (with fewer than three stores) that has undergone significant transformation through technology, new practices, and professionalisation.
Entries must detail the specific initiatives and their measurable impact on operations, decision-making, and overall growth.
Emerging Online Commerce of the Year
Celebrates achievements in growing online sales through focused strategy and innovation.
Entries must demonstrate year-on-year growth in online contribution (value and units) and increasing online customer traffic.
Best Technology Transformation of the Year
Recognises technology-led transformation implemented during the evaluation period.
Entries must highlight the integration of technology in business planning, adoption of new systems, R&D alignment, and measurable impact on operations and growth.
Best Customer Loyalty Programme of the Year
Honours innovative loyalty programmes that strengthen customer retention and repeat purchase.
Entries should highlight programme design (POS, wallet, or e-commerce integration) and effectiveness in enhancing customer lifetime value.
Exemplary Value Creation for Shareholders
Celebrates the performance of a publicly listed company in delivering strong returns to investors.
Entries must be supported by financial documents and market performance indicators.
National Retail Chain of the Year
Recognises a national jewellery retail chain that has demonstrated strong business growth and network expansion.
Entries should detail year-on-year growth, customer acquisition, workforce initiatives, marketing programmes, and customer experience enhancements.
Regional Chain of the Year
Celebrates a family-run business that has evolved into a professionally managed regional retail chain.
Entries must include year-on-year store expansion, customer growth, business growth, marketing, HR, and customer experience initiatives.
Woman Leader of the Year
- Recognises a woman leader who has made outstanding contributions in driving business growth and innovation over the past year.
- Self-nominations are allowed, as well as nominations by companies or industry peers.
Independent Retail Jeweller of the Year
Recognises growth achieved by an independent, family-run store (or stores within a single city) through professional management and innovation.
Entries must outline business expansion, customer acquisition, marketing, employee initiatives, and enhanced customer experience.
Young Leader of the Year
Honours a leader under 40 who has held a leadership role for at least five years and has driven business success through innovation.
Entries must highlight initiatives, strategy, and measurable outcomes under the nominee’s leadership.
Debutant Innovator of the Year
Celebrates individuals who entered the jewellery business in the last two to three years and have introduced breakthrough innovations.
Entries must highlight the strategies and measurable business outcomes resulting from their efforts.
Visionary Leader of the Year
Honours a pioneering individual who has not only transformed their own business but also made significant contributions to the industry.
This is a non-nomination category selected based on peer referrals. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Lifetime Achievement in Retail
Recognises decades of exceptional contribution to the Indian retail jewellery industry.
This is a non-nomination category based on peer recommendations.
Special Contribution to the Indian Retail Jewellery Industry
Honours individuals for exemplary impact on the Indian gem and jewellery industry.
This is a non-nomination category determined by industry referrals.
NOMINATE
Nominate yourself, a peer, or any deserving individual or organisation for recognition
NOMINATION PROCESS
To nominate yourself, a peer, or a company, please complete the official online nomination form.
All sections must be filled out for the nomination to be considered. You can upload supporting materials—such as high-resolution photos, videos, and documents—directly within the form.
TIMELINE
Timeline
Entries Period:
Oct 2025 – Sept 2026
The eligible period for entries spans from October 2025 to September 2026.
Registration:
1 Sept – 31 Oct 2026
Registrations open on 1st September 2026 and close on 31st October 2026.
Jury Meet:
20 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
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.
AWARD CRITERIA
Past Winners: Winners from 2026 are not eligible to nominate themselves in the same category but may apply in other categories.
ENTRY PROCESS
Step 1
Register on: www.retailjewellerindiaforum.com/awards
Step 2
Select category/categories and complete the nomination form
Step 3
Upload required documents (images, videos, supporting proofs)
Step 4
Provide Single Point of Contact (SPOC) details
Step 5
Complete payment to confirm submission
Step 6
Submit before 31 October 2026
GUIDELINES FOR ENTRY
Eligibility
- Open globally to retail jewellery companies, brands, or individuals with a walk-in retail outlet active in India. Appointment-only stores are not eligible.
- Mainstream manufacturers are not permitted.
- Self-nominations are allowed.
- There is no limit to the number of nominations; however, separate forms must be submitted for each.
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.
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 November 2026
- Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 6 January 2027
- Winners 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:
Shilpa Battacharya – 79773 81527
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
General guidelines for award assessment
FINAL CRITERIA
