STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHTINDIA’S COOLEST STORE AWARDS ARE CALLING

About: India’s Coolest Store Awards 2026

Presented by Indian Jeweller in association with Couture India Show

27th September 2026 | Taj Palace, New Delhi

Indian Jeweller proudly returns with the 7th edition of the India’s Coolest Store Awards (ICSA 2026) a prestigious celebration dedicated exclusively to recognising excellence in jewellery retail.. Hosted in collaboration with Couture India Show, this landmark evening will take place on 27th September 2026 at the iconic Taj Palace, New Delhi.

From visionary store concepts and exceptional visual merchandising to meaningful customer connections and industry-leading innovation, ICSA recognises jewellers who are shaping the future of retail with purpose, passion, and integrity.

Because creating a remarkable jewellery store is not just about what you showcase—it’s about the experience you craft, the emotions you evoke, and the legacy you build.

If your store stands as a reflection of bold ideas, refined aesthetics, and uncompromising excellence—this is your moment.

Step into the spotlight. Let the industry witness your brilliance. Be part of India’s Coolest Store Awards.

Award Categories for ICSA 2026

India’s Coolest Boutique Store

India’s Coolest Boutique Store

India’s Coolest Independent Store

India’s Coolest Independent Store

India’s Coolest Chain Store

India’s Coolest Chain Store

India’s Coolest Store for Ambience

India’s Coolest Store for Ambience

India’s Coolest Digital Presence

India’s Coolest Digital Presence

India’s Coolest Next-Gen Leader

India’s Coolest Next-Gen Leader

(Director/Owner to Be Between The Age 25yrs - 35yrs)

India’s Coolest Advertising Campaign

India’s Coolest Advertising Campaign

India’s Coolest Store for Visual Merchandising

India’s Coolest Store for Visual Merchandising

India’s Coolest Store with a Cause

India’s Coolest Store with a Cause

India’s Coolest New Store Launch

India’s Coolest New Store Launch

India’s Coolest Store to Work-in

India’s Coolest Store to Work-in

India’s Coolest Store – Customer Favorite

India’s Coolest Store – Customer Favorite

Event Timeline

10th May, 2026

Participation Open (Retailers)

17th July, 2026

Participation Closes (Retailers)

20th August, 2026

Extension

23rd August, 2026

1st Round Internal Evalution

26th August, 2026

Grand Round

30th August, 2026

Nomination Announcement

27th September, 2026

Award Night

PROCESS AND JUDGING METHODOLOGY

  • All applicants must submit a fully completed nomination form along with all required supporting materials, including images, videos, and relevant documents (“Submission Materials”).

  • Incomplete entries, incorrect information, or missing attachments may lead to disqualification at the sole discretion of the organizer, Indian Jeweller.

  • No edits, modifications, additions, or changes will be permitted after the registration closing date.

  • No entries or materials will be accepted after the official deadline under any circumstances.

  • The company name, brand name, and all submitted details will be published exactly as provided,andno changes shall be allowed thereafter.

  • By applying, participants grant the organizer the right to use submitted content for evaluation, editorial, and promotional purposes.

  • All decisions related to eligibility, shortlisting, evaluation, and final winners shall be final and bindingwithno correspondence entertained.


    STEP 1: ENTRY REVIEW & FINALIST SELECTION

  • All valid entries will be reviewed by the editorial team of Indian Jeweller along with an appointed jury panel.

  • Shortlisting will be based on the quality, completeness, and merit of the submission.

  • The आयोजक reserves the right to accept or reject any entry without assigning any reason.


    STEP 2: JURY EVALUATION

  • Finalists will be evaluated by a panel of industry experts from jewellery, retail, design, and architecture.

  • Evaluation will be conducted through a structured scoring system across defined parameters such as design, innovation, customer experience, and brand presence.

  • One category may be determined through customer/public voting, at the sole discretion of the organizer.


    STEP 3: SCORING & WEIGHTAGE

  • Each finalist will be evaluated on a scale of 0-100 across 13 judging criteria.

  • Key evaluation parameters include:

  • Visual Merchandising, Store Layout & Overall Appearance

  • Innovation & Creativity in Concept and Execution

  • Staff Training, Employee Engagement & HR Practices

  • Use of Technology to Enhance Experience or Operations

  • Social Media Presence, Digital Branding & Engagement

  • The organizer reserves the right to modify evaluation criteria, weightages, or processes at any stage without prior notice.

  • 75% – Visual Merchandising, Store Layout & Overall Appearance
  • 50% – Innovation & Creativity in Concept and Execution
  • 50% – Staff Training, Employee Engagement & HR Practices
  • 100% – Use of Technology to Enhance Experience or Operations
  • 100% – Social Media Presence, Digital Branding & Engagement
Visual Merchandising, Store Layout and Appearance
Innovation & Creativity
Staff Training, Expertise & Employee Policy
Innovative Use of Tech Technology
Social Media Presence and Branding

ICSA - Jury 2025

Aftab Bandukwala

Aftab Bandukwala

Founder And Principal Architect Of V-Design Architectural Solutions, Mumbai
Rahul Bansal

Rahul Bansal

Partner, groupDCA
A Shivaram

A Shivaram

Director, Retail Gurukul, Bangalore - Business Consulting
Deepak Tulsian

Deepak Tulsian

Jewellery Growth Consultant Mywisdomlane.com
Pooja C. Pherwani

Pooja C. Pherwani

Trade Director, NDC (Natural Diamond Council), India & Middle East

Event Venue

Taj Palace

2, Sardar Patel Marg
Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi, Delhi-11 00 21

Our Sponsors

F.A.Q's

  • Rs. 20,000/- Plus 18% GST.

    The participation fee for India’s Coolest Next-Gen Leader and Customer Favorite is ₹10,000 + 18% GST for each category , and ₹25,000 + 18% GST for other 12 categories.

  • No, the participation fee of ₹25,000 + 18% GST covers all of the other 12 award categories (excluding Next-Gen Leader and Customer Favorite).

    The ₹10,000 + GST fee applies only to the India’s Coolest Next-Gen Leader and Customer Favorite categories individually. If you choose to enter either of those, the applicable fee will be ₹10,000 + GST per category, separate from the ₹25,000 + GST fee.

  • You can participate by nominating any one of your stores from your multi-store chain. Since these are store-specific awards, each entry must correspond to a single store location.

    If you wish to nominate more than one store across different cities or regions, you are welcome to do so—however, please note that a separate participation form and entry fee will be required for each nominated store. Each form is counted as one individual entry per store.

  • The entries will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of jury members, including the Editor of Indian Jeweller Magazine. The jury will consist of highly experienced professionals from the jewellery trade as well as experts from diverse fields such as interior design, architecture, marketing, retail, and branding. Their combined expertise ensures a fair and comprehensive evaluation of each submission based on creativity, execution, and overall impact.

  • Finalists will be announced on 20th August, 2026, and the winners will be announced on 14th September 2026 at the Gala Award Night.

  • Yes, past winners can participate again in the same category only if there has been a significant update—such as the launch of a new store, a major refurbishment, or a store relaunch. You are also encouraged to explore other categories if you've introduced new initiatives, such as a fresh advertising campaign, enhanced digital engagement, innovative technology, or any other notable development that sets your store apart this year.

  • Yes, you can participate again, provided the submission includes updated or new information.


    • For any more queries, you can email at events@indianjeweller.in or call at +91 90825 01002.