IJ Power List 2026 honours the leaders redefining Indian jewellery retail through governance, innovation, cultural stewardship, and disciplined growth—celebrating visionaries shaping the industry’s future with clarity, credibility, and conviction.
Last evening, Indian Jeweller formally presented the IJ Power List 2026, bringing together some of the most influential leaders in Indian jewellery retail. Conceived as a platform of recognition, the Power List acknowledges individuals whose decisions, discipline, and direction have contributed meaningfully to the industry’s structural evolution. As outlined in the Coffee Table Book, “This is not a ranking. It is recognition.”
The evening also marked the official unveiling of the IJ Power List Coffee Table Book, a curated documentation of leadership journeys that have shaped contemporary Indian jewellery retail.
The unveiling of the IJ Power List Coffee Table Book, a venture by the Indian Jeweller, served as a defining moment of the evening. More than a commemorative publication, it stands as a documented reflection of an industry in transition, from fragmented growth to structured, institution-ready expansion.
The Power List recognises clarity of belief, disciplined execution, governance maturity, cultural responsibility, and strategic foresight.
The ceremony was graced by Zeenat Aman, who felicitated the distinguished honourees of the IJ Power List. Her presence lent cultural gravitas and symbolic continuity to the occasion, reflecting legacy, reinvention, and enduring relevance; qualities mirrored in the careers of the leaders being recognised. As Zeenat Aman felicitated each honouree, the message was clear: Indian jewellery retail is entering a phase defined by confidence, structure, and institutional credibility.
The gathering, both reflective and celebratory, brought together retail stalwarts, manufacturers, policymakers, exporters, and next-generation entrepreneurs.
The selection framework for the IJ Power List was deliberate and multi-dimensional. As detailed in the Coffee Table Book, honourees were evaluated through both quantitative performance and qualitative influence. Key considerations included sustained business growth, retail expansion, innovation in design and merchandising, digital integration, governance standards, ethical sourcing, skill development, and industry contributions.
Importantly, the framework ensured regional diversity and representation across varied business models, spanning legacy family enterprises, publicly listed companies, manufacturing leaders, design custodians, and policy advocates. The resulting list reflects the breadth of India’s jewellery ecosystem rather than a singular narrative of scale or visibility.
A defining theme among this year’s honourees is the growing institutional maturity within Indian jewellery retail. Several leaders have steered regional enterprises toward public listings and structured corporate governance, signalling a broader shift in industry mindset.
These milestones represent more than financial achievements; they indicate increasing confidence in capital markets and a commitment to transparency and accountability. The Power List acknowledges leaders who have demonstrated that legacy businesses can adopt professional systems, scalable frameworks, and institutional discipline without diluting brand heritage.
Retail transformation remains a strong thread running through the IJ Power List. Leaders recognised this year have reimagined bridal retail formats, expanded into new markets, introduced modular and design-forward collections, and strengthened omnichannel ecosystems.
Experiential retail, curated bridal destinations, digital storytelling, and consumer education have emerged as structural drivers of growth. Innovation in merchandising and customer engagement has become central to long-term competitiveness. The Coffee Table Book highlights how consumer relevance and adaptive retail strategies played a significant role in the selection process.
Growth in this new phase is now being measured by consistency of experience and operational discipline.
Beyond commercial achievement, the Power List also honours leaders who have reinforced jewellery’s cultural and intellectual foundations. From preserving heritage craftsmanship to safeguarding design originality, several honourees have positioned jewellery as cultural authorship rather than transactional merchandise.
Values-led storytelling, inclusive brand narratives, and commitment to authenticity have become defining elements of leadership. The Coffee Table narratives reflect perseverance, creativity, and long-term conviction as recurring qualities among those recognised. In a price-sensitive market, these leaders have demonstrated that credibility is sustained through integrity and design discipline.
The IJ Power List extends recognition beyond retail alone. Manufacturing excellence and policy stewardship have emerged as critical pillars of industry strength. Leaders heading large-scale integrated manufacturing operations were acknowledged for embedding automation, traceability, and workforce upskilling into structured systems.
Simultaneously, industry representatives operating at the intersection of trade and governance were recognized for shaping policy dialogue, advancing reforms, and articulating the sector’s economic relevance at national forums. This balanced recognition reinforces a broader truth that the multi-faceted future of jewellery retail is shaped in showrooms, production facilities and policy chambers.
Following the formal ceremony, the evening transitioned into a vibrant celebration with a live performance by the band Veer Live. Their energetic set added a dynamic close to the event, with attendees thoroughly enjoying the music, camaraderie, and relaxed networking atmosphere. The performance brought together honourees and industry leaders in a spirited conclusion to a night dedicated to leadership and legacy.
The IJ Power List 2026, therefore, represents more than recognition; it signals direction. It honours those who have powered the industry’s progress and sets a benchmark for those who aspire to shape its future with integrity and intent.
Be the first to comment