The awards spotlighted leadership that has delivered measurable impact, institutional strength and market leadership through consistent strategy, governance and long-term value creation
Mumbai: The Retail Jeweller MD & CEO Awards 2026 were presented before a packed audience of industry leaders and prominent retail jewellers in Mumbai on the evening of January 7, 2026. Instituted to recognize leadership that has shaped the Indian jewellery industry, and now in its fifth year, the awards honour entrepreneurs and senior executives whose consistent decision-making and long-term vision have strengthened businesses, built institutional credibility and contributed to the industry’s sustained progress.
The awards have come to stand for the quality of leadership behind performance. This year’s edition of the Retail Jeweller MD & CEO Awards brought to the fore leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary clarity, discipline and an ability to create enduring value not only for their organizations but also for the industry.
Marketing and brand-building took centre stage with the award for Best Strategic and Integrated Marketing of the Year going to Jagannath Gangaram Pednekar Jewellers, and Best Digital/Social Media Marketing of the Year recognizing both Mahesh Notandass Jewellers and PNG Jewellers for their focused digital execution. These wins highlighted how structured story-telling and consistent digital presence have become core business tools. Best CSR Impact of the Year went to Arundhati Jewellers for initiatives that delivered tangible social impact.
Vandana Jagwani of Mahesh Notandass Jewellers
Customer focus and internal culture emerged as equally important pillars of leadership. Best Customer Experience of the Year was awarded to Kalamandir Jewellers, reflecting how service excellence continues to differentiate brands. Best Customer Loyalty Programme of the Year recognised Manubhai Jewellers, reinforcing the importance of long-term customer relationships. On the people side, the award for Best Workplace and People Welfare & Development went to Kashi Jewellers, underlining the role of strong internal systems in sustaining growth.
Samir Sagar of Manubhai Jewellers
The awards also acknowledged businesses at different stages of their journey. Emerging E-Retail Start-up of the Year was awarded to Kumari Fine Jewellery, reflecting the growing maturity of digital-first jewellery brands, while Best Family-Managed Business recognised Chandukaka Saraf & Sons Jewellers for balancing legacy with modern business practices. Technology-led progress was highlighted with Best Technology Transformation of the Year, awarded to Raj Diamonds.
Devika Kapoor, Ridhi Kapoor Gala and Shreyansh Kapoor of Kashi Jewellers
Amit Bandi of Kumari Fine Jewellery
At a larger organisational level, Exemplary Value Creation for Shareholders – Retailer was awarded to Tanishq, while Exemplary Value Creation for Shareholders – Manufacturer recognised Asian Star.
Kalyan Jewellers emerged as National Retail Chain of the Year while D.P Abhushan was adjudged Regional Chain of the Year. The Independent Retail Jeweller of the Year award went to Dhirsons Jewellers. Together, these retailers represented the industry’s scale, regional strength and independent growth.
Individual leadership was equally central to this edition of the Retail Jeweller MD & CEO Awards. Young Leader of the Year award was jointly given to Mahatwa Soni of Manik Chand & Sons Jewellers and Dhruv Rastogi of Kamal Jewellers, reflecting the growing influence of the next generation. “I am truly overwhelmed by the Young Leader of the Year award. It is a true recognition of the hard work which I had put in throughout the year,” said Dhruv Rastogi of Kamal Jewellers.
On his part, Mahatwa Soni of Manik Chand & Sons Jewellers said, “I hope I have made my Dad proud of me. At Manikchand Jewellers, the focus has always been on learning and improving systems and also creating better experiences for customers.”
Debutant Innovator of the Year recognized two young achievers – Supriya Kataria of Kumari Fine Jewellery and B. Jagadeesh of Devi Pavitra Jewellers for introducing fresh thinking grounded in business realities.
Saying that she was happy to receive the award, Supriya Kataria of Kumari Fine Jewellery added, “This comes truly, truly from my heart. I’m just loving the recognition for Kumari and we are obviously shouting it out loud.”
“This award really motivates us to achieve more by adopting continuous changes and recognizing customer needs to create better customer experiences,” said B. Jagadeesh of Devi Pavitra Jewellers.
The prestigious award for Visionary Leader of the Year went to Shrikant Zaveri of TBZ – The Original for his leadership in modernizing a legacy brand while driving sustained growth and industry trust. Accepting the award, Shrikant Zaveri said,“Receiving the Visionary Leader of the Year award is a deeply humbling milestone. To me, true vision is not just about foresight; it is about recognizing untapped possibilities, empowering our people, and crafting a legacy of value that transcends generations. This honour belongs to the entire TBZ team who have re-imagined the future of the jewellery business alongside me.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to industry stalwart Abdus Samad Motiwala forlong-term contribution to the Indian retail jewellery industry, recognizing decades of excellent craftsmanship, credibility and leadership. “Jewellery is never just your story; it is the story that travels quietly across generations. When a piece continues to hold meaning decades later, even without a signature, you know you have done something right—because true legacy is what continues without you,” said Abdus Samad Motiwala, after receiving the award on stage. “In the jewellery business, trust travels further than gold. It takes decades of honest work to build and only a moment to lose, which is why trust remains the invisible currency that defines both legacy and success.”
The 5th Retail Jeweller MD & CEO Awards were presented by the Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance (INDRA), the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES).
As the awards night drew to a close, the message was loud and clear: leadership in the jewellery business today is defined by innovation, consistency and the ability to build institutions that last. This year’s winners reflect that direction not as an aspiration, but as lived practice.
Retail Jeweller India Exclusive
