Supported by Retailers Association of India (RAI) and organized by RITZ Magazine, the awards recognized the crème de la crème of the retail industry
November 20, 2018, Chennai: India Retail Excellence Awards felicitated the best of the best in the retail industry at a gala ceremony in Chennai during the Chennai Retail Summit 2018. Retail is at an interesting juncture in India with new brands and formats entering the market and the old ones reinventing themselves. Consumption is on the rise, driven by aspirations and increase in per capita income. Technology is adding interesting twists by facilitating innovative business models, aiding efficiency and redefining customer expectations as well as experiences. It’s only fair to recognize the genius of all the pathbreakers in this new-age retail movement which is what IREA set to accomplish.
“Today’s big retail churn is not just revolutionising Indian retail but also separating the winners and the laggards. Brands that have their fundamentals right and are focused on all the right things are emerging as trendsetters. RAI is pleased to support The India Retail Excellence Awards that have been instituted to shine the spotlight on these stars of retail who have shone bright despite all odds. We see it as a recognition of their efforts, focus and hard work and salute to their indomitable spirit to constantly stay relevant to the times, the customers and the industry,” said Kumar Rajagopalan, RAI, CEO.
With as many as 22 categories, the inaugural edition of India Retail Excellence Awards was inclusive and gave due consideration to the many formats of retail such as Ethnic Wear/Apparels, Family Store, Food and Beverage, Services. There were some special categories of awards that sought to appreciate those who influence retail and have been innovators, propagators and trendsetters.
The process
A jury panel comprising eminent personalities from the industry, thoroughly evaluated the entries shortlisted by a reputed audit agency to select the winners.
And the winners are…
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Women’s Apparel: Naidu Hall the Family Store (Promoters of the well-known store in Chennai with over seven decades of experience and a loyal customer base.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Electronics: Girias (South India’s No.1 Consumer Durables Retailer with 65 Mega Stores in South India.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Ethnic Men’s Wear: Ramraj Cotton (Tirpur based production and trading house of Dhotis, engaged in the business of Indian Market.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Ethnic Women’s Wear: Nalli Silk Sarees (The leading name in the silk and Kanchipuram Saree industry since its inception in 1928.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Food and Beverage: Adyar Ananda Bhavan (Oldest Adyar, Chennai based chain of confectioners.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Family Store: Pothys (A house-hold name in the textile industry in Tamil Nade with an impeccable reputation.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Grocery: Kovai Pazhamudir Nilayam (Coimbatore’s most famous fruits and vegetables reseller.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Healthcare: Thulasi Pharmacy (Started in 2001 by 2 leading distributors to provide world class pharmacy at the lowest possible price.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Jewellery: GRT Jewellers (Jeweller renowned for the purity of the ornaments, wide choice of designs and consistent customer delight.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Mall: Express Avenue (A shopping mall in Chennai promoted by Express Infrastructure, a division of Express Newspapers Pvt. Ltd.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Services: Naturals Salon (A trendsetter in the Salon industry of India with an aim to bring international beauty trends to India.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Speciality Retail: Fipola Retail (The first modern retail company for fresh proteins.)
§ Best Retailer 2018 –Store Design: LKS Gold Haven (Reputed goldsmith and jewellers in the region)
§ Best Family Entertainment Multiplex 2018: Mayajaal (A 27 acres sprawling Family Entertainment Centre along the East Coast Road in Chennai.)
§ Best Luxury Real Estate Destination 2018: Express Exclusive (Luxorious showpiece home-space provider in Chennai.)
Special Awards
§ Evergreen Queen: Simran Rishi Bagga (Versatile actress with experience in Tamil and Telugu films.)
§ Comedy King: Yogi Babu (Famed comedy actor from the Tamil Film Industry who rose to fame due to his laudable performances in Maan Karate and Aandavan Kattalai.)
§ South India’s Most Influential Celebrity: Shruti Hassan (Indian Film actress and singer who predominantly works in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi language films.)
The awards were given away at a gala ceremony in the presence of the who’s who of the Indian retail industry in Chennai.
