Mumbai, Mar 13: The retail industry in India is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture. For Retail Associates, a job in the sector represents financial stability, independence and the ability to support their families. Many Retail Associates come from modest backgrounds and have overcome significant challenges to build sustainable livelihoods.
Some of these stories of determination and quiet perseverance were brought into focus at the 14th edition of the TRRAIN Retail Awards, organised by the Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India (TRRAIN). The initiative shines a spotlight on the people who represent the face of India’s retail industry every day — greeting customers warmly, resolving daily operational challenges and keeping stores running smoothly.
The awards were presented at a gala evening held on March 12, 2026, at The Lalit, Mumbai in thepresence of Nitin Paranjpe, Non-Executive Chairman of Hindustan Unilever, who had kindly graced the occasion as the Chief Guest of the Ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion in conversation with B.S Nagesh, Nitin Paranjpe, Chief Guest at the event, said,
“I opened the first page of the ‘I Just Did It’ brochure that I got and read the foreword written by Ameesha Prabhu, CEO of TRRAIN and she ends it very well, in the end human power is the competitive advantage that retail has and I think this group of winners here demonstrates that people still make a difference.”
Receiving the award on a national stage, in the presence of CXOs and stalwarts of the Indian retail industry, is a defining moment for the winners. Industry leaders present at the ceremony included, Anuj Puri – Co-Founder & Chairman, ANAROCK; Dalip Sehgal – CEO, Nexus Select Malls; Damodar Mall – CEO of Reliance Grocery Retail; Satyaki Ghosh, CEO, Raymond Gopal Asthana – CEO, Tata Cliq Luxury; Hari Menon – Co-Founder & CEO, Big Basket; Kavindra Mishra – CEO- Shoppers Stop Ltd.; Rajneesh Mahajan – CEO, Inorbit Malls (India) Pvt Ltd.; Vineet Gautam – Founder & CEO 91 Brands, and many more,
TRRAIN Retail Awards 2026 recognised 23 individuals and 9 teams from across India (Ahmedabad, Bareilly, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, Thane). The Individual National Winners include Geeta Kornani from IKEA India (Gold), Abhijeet Vilas Dhurve from Multiplier (Silver), and Pranjal Panday from Ready to Wear by Raymond (Bronze).
Recognising collective efforts as a team by the CEOs, Human Resources teams, Sales Teams are the team awards for Customer Service Excellence by Team, HR Initiative of the year, Sales Excellence by Team. (LIST of AWARD WINNERS ATTACHED)
Reflecting on the purpose behind the initiative, B S Nagesh, Founder of TRRAIN, expressed that the awards were created to bring dignity to the profession.
“Retail associates in India work tirelessly to serve customers and support the success of retail businesses. Yet their efforts frequently go unrecognised. Through the TRRAIN Retail Awards, we aim to shine a spotlight on their invaluable contribution and build greater dignity and pride within the retail workforce,” he further added.
Ameesha Prabhu, CEO of TRRAIN, said, the TRRAIN Awards are a platform that highlights the human stories behind India’s retail industry.
“The winners of the TRRAIN Retail Awards 2026 have been chosen from 200 applicants across 100 companies in 20 towns/cities. Each entry represents a story of perseverance, growth and commitment to service. The objective of the awards has always been to recognise retail associates for their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and for fostering a culture of service and customer centricity in the retail and service industry.”
TRRAIN Retail Awards are the only awards in the country and among the few across the world which honours and recognises front line associates for excellence in customer service at a community level. With over 3000 stories received from ~130 cities in 13 years, these awards have set a benchmark for customer service and have impacted the lives of hundreds of associates, both at work and at home. Over the years, TRRAIN has recognised over 300+ retail associates for customer service excellence. IGDS a global association for department stores has adopted this award to select the best associates in the world of department stores. The award ceremonies have been held in Rome, Toronto, Tokyo, Dubai and in Seoul in 2025.
