The 14th edition of the TRRAIN Retail Awards highlighted inspiring stories of perseverance and dedication among frontline retail professionals across India.
Organised by the Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India (TRRAIN), the awards recognise retail associates who play a crucial role in delivering customer service and maintaining daily retail operations.
The ceremony took place on 12 March 2026 at The Lalit Mumbai, with Nitin Paranjpe attending as the Chief Guest.
Recognising the Backbone of the Retail Industry
India’s retail sector is the second-largest employer after agriculture, offering financial stability and livelihood opportunities for millions. Many retail associates come from modest backgrounds and contribute significantly to the everyday functioning of retail businesses.
The TRRAIN Retail Awards aim to recognise these individuals who serve customers daily, resolve operational challenges and keep stores running efficiently.
Speaking during the ceremony, Nitin Paranjpe emphasised the importance of people in the retail ecosystem.
“In the end human power is the competitive advantage that retail has. This group of winners demonstrates that people still make a difference.”
Industry Leaders in Attendance
The event brought together prominent figures from India’s retail and business community, including:
-
Anuj Puri
-
Dalip Sehgal
-
Damodar Mall
-
Satyaki Ghosh
-
Gopal Asthana
-
Hari Menon
-
Kavindra Mishra
-
Rajneesh Mahajan
-
Vineet Gautam
Their presence highlighted the industry’s commitment to recognising frontline retail professionals.
National Award Winners
The TRRAIN Retail Awards 2026 recognised 23 individuals and 9 teams from cities across India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune and several others.
The Individual National Winners were:
-
Gold: Geeta Kornani from IKEA India
-
Silver: Abhijeet Vilas Dhurve from Multiplier
-
Bronze: Pranjal Panday from Ready to Wear by Raymond
In addition to individual recognition, team awards were presented in categories such as:
-
Customer Service Excellence by Team
-
HR Initiative of the Year
-
Sales Excellence by Team
Building Dignity in Retail Professions
Reflecting on the initiative’s purpose, B S Nagesh noted that the awards were created to bring greater recognition and dignity to retail professionals.
“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 pride within the retail workforce.”
Celebrating the Human Stories Behind Retail
Ameesha Prabhu explained that the awards highlight the personal journeys 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 and cities. Each entry represents a story of perseverance, growth and commitment to service.”
Over the past 13 years, the awards have received over 3,000 nominations from around 130 cities, recognising more than 300 retail associates for their contribution to customer service excellence.
The initiative has also gained international recognition, with the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS) adopting the awards to identify outstanding retail associates worldwide. Previous ceremonies have been hosted in cities such as Rome, Toronto, Tokyo, Dubai and Seoul.
