Identifying the need for acknowledging and rewarding success in retail, India Retail Forum 2009 concluded with the annual Images Retail Awards, where India’s top retail companies, professionals and concepts were felicitated.

The evening was a grand finale with scintillating performances by singer Raageshwari Lumba and the renowned stand up comedian Daniel Nainan (popularly known as Dan Nainan) flown in all the way from New York. Raageshwari with her high energy bhangra numbers and Dan with his mimicry and one liner kept the audience in rapture and left everyone in the audience asking for more.

Amitabh Taneja, Chief Convenor, India Retail Forum, said, “The environment was very invigorating, and the competition, very, very tough! Inevitably, there was a new breed of leaders and learners who, while creating their own niches in the business has helped shaping the business for the good.”

The sixth edition of Images Retail Awards , the saga was an occasion to confab with the stars of India Retail Inc. under the spotlight, as also to appreciate the width and depth of one of the world’s most potent retail economies.

In the times of Global slowdown India Retail Forum 2009 has provided an opportunity for the members of Retail fraternity to collaborate and grow in their business.

The Images Retail Awards acknowledges Indian retailers who have invested in adopting best practices at the back end and front end – including the most proficient awards for various categories like the best Retail Group, for excellent customer Relations, a special award for smart strategy, marketing strategy etc., award for repositioning, award for Fashion & Lifestyle, for Health & Beauty etc

The awards were selected by a nationwide consumer and Industry poll and nominations, backed up with performance assessment by an IRA team of Analysts and Jury.

The fact that the IRA recognizes every aspect of retailing was evident from the 19 award categories that covered key retail segments, formats & operational efficiencies. The Images Retail Awards followed strict international benchmarks in deciding the top honors with IRIS Retail Intelligenceas Knowledge Partner and global consulting firm AT Kearney as the Process Approver. The selection process involved self-nominations as well as a countrywide poll to short-list the nominees. Over 11,000 consumers and some 1000 professionals voted for their most admired retailers across formats & categories.

The glamour studded evening saw Future Group win the award for the “Most Admired retailer Group of the Year”. Mr. Rakesh Biyani, Director, Future Group while accepting the recognition said that it was the constant support of their loyal consumers that enabled them to repeat this feat year after year.

Mr Mehul Choksi- Chairman & MD- Gitanjali Group, got honored as the Most admired retailer of the year- Marketing Strategy, while Shoppers Stop walked away with the award for Most admired retailer for Customer Relation

Amongst a plethora of retail stalwarts gracing the stage to honor the esteemed awardees, the evening also saw Mr. Parag Munot – MD, Kalpataru Builders hand over the keys of their newly launched retail space, The Korum Mall at Thane to some of their esteemed clients namely Westside and Star Bazaar amongst others.

The Images Retail Awards was the culminating event of the two day India Retail Forum 2009 (IRF) – the magnum opus of Indian retail that brought together World’s Best Retail Minds, Brands, Products, Services &Ideas to Energise Indian Retail.

1.Most admired retailer for Fashion and Lifestyle: Bata
2.Most admired retailer for Food and Grocery: Food Bazaar
3.Most admired retailer for Catering Outlet: Café Coffee Day
4.Most admired retailer for Leisure: Odyssey
5.Most admired retailer for Consumer Electronics: Croma
6.Most admired retailer for Entertainment: Big Cinemas
7.Most admired retailer for Telecom and Mobile: The Mobile Store
8.Most admired retailer for Health and Beauty: Kaya
9.Most admired retailer for Home and Office Improvement: Home Centre
10.Most admired retailer for Department Store: Westside
11.Most admired retailer for Rural Retailing: IOC Kisan Seva Kendra.
12.Most admired retailer for Retail Launch: Easy Day
13.Most admired retailer for Speciality Retailer: Mom & Me
14.Most admired retailer for Hypermarket: Big Bazaar
15.Most admired retailer for Customer Relation: Shoppers Stop
16.Most admired retailer group of the year: Future Group
17.Most admired retailer of the year- Smart Strategy: Spencers and More
18.Most admired retailer of the year- Marketing Strategy: Gitanjali Group
19.Most admired retailer of the year- Repositioning: Marks & Spencers