Mumbai, Maharashtra, 19th of February, 2026 : In a grand ceremony during the Retail Leadership Summit 2026, the Retailers Association of India (RAI) unveiled the winners of the esteemed ‘Retail Startup Awards.’ This marks the ninth annual celebration of this event, aimed at spotlighting the most groundbreaking retail startups poised for significant impact in 2026. The awards instituted by RAI, are designed to honour entrepreneurial innovation within the retail sector.
The ‘Retail Startup Awards’ instituted by RAI celebrate the dynamism and ingenuity of emerging entrepreneurs who are redefining the contours of India’s retail ecosystem. By recognizing ventures that have translated bold ideas into scalable, impactful businesses, the awards spotlight startups that are addressing unmet market needs and elevating consumer experiences through innovation, technology, and seamless convenience.
“Each edition of the Retail Startup Awards reinforces the depth of entrepreneurial talent across the country. We continue to witness an impressive spectrum of startups from diverse geographies and segments, all contributing fresh thinking and transformative solutions to the retail sector. Their ability to create meaningful value for both businesses and consumers is truly commendable. We are proud to recognize and celebrate this year’s winners, who exemplify excellence, resilience, and forward-looking innovation,” said Dr. Hitesh Bhatt, Director – Marketing and Communication, Retailers Association of India (RAI).
The Retail Leadership Summit 2026 provided the perfect backdrop for the awards, underscoring RAI’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within India’s retail industry.
The entries were evaluated over set criteria and a final shortlist of 10 innovative retail startups was presented to the grand jury consisting of Amit Sarda – MD, Soulflower and Rehan Huck – VP & Head of Leasing, DLF Malls.
The three retail startups that have emerged as the winners of the RAI Retail Startup Awards 2026:
Winners: Sleepycat
1st Runner Up: Gokyo Outdoor Apparel and Lifestyles Pvt Ltd
2nd Runner Up: Club York
About Retail Leadership Summit:
Instituted by Retailers Association of India, the Retail Leadership Summit (better known as RLS) is India’s largest gathering of retail leaders, service providers and other stakeholders from the industry. It aims to bring the best brains of the industry together for deliberating and discussing on the ways to take modern retail in India to the next level. Over the years, RLS has earned the reputation of being the ultimate knowledge-sharing platform, where those in attendance learn about the best practices and trends that they can apply for improving business efficiency. RLS is the only official Summit of its kind, an initiative by the industry, for the industry.
About the Retailers Association of India (RAI)
The Retailers Association of India is the unified voice of Indian retailers, representing a wide spectrum of retail formats across the country. RAI works closely with industry stakeholders and policymakers to create a favourable ecosystem for retail growth, while driving knowledge-sharing, best practices, and leadership development across the sector.
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