50 retail initiatives and practices across 31 categories were awarded in the 2nd edition of SHWAPNO presents Bangladesh Retail Awards 2024 powered by Singer | beko (Singer Bangladesh Limited); Konka and Gree (Electro Mart Limited) in Association with MINISO and IDC Bangladesh PLC through a grand gala ceremony at Le Méridien Hotel Dhaka on 05 October 2024 Saturday. Among the awardees, 33 initiatives received the winner accolade, and 17 received Honourable Mentions. The 2nd edition of the accolade was organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum.
Opening the gala, Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum and Bangladesh Retail Forum, remarked, ” the retail landscape is undergoing a renaissance of sorts. The future of retail is not only digital, but omnichannel, personalized, and deeply customer-centric. And more than ever before, the demand for sustainability and purpose-driven business is reshaping how we operate. The awards that will be presented this evening honor those who have risen to this challenge, demonstrated unparalleled excellence, and embraced innovation as a key to success.”
The Bangladesh Retail Awards 2024 received an overwhelming response from a diverse range of industries, earning widespread appreciation for being the first-of-its-kind recognition in the field of retail. With more than 500 attendees, the awards ceremony highlighted the pioneering efforts and impactful initiatives of businesses and brands that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting and implementing innovative retail practices across the country.
This year 349 nominations from 57 organisations were submitted for the accolade. The winners were chosen through a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process. The jury featured 22 esteemed category experts from various industries.
Winning in the “Innovation in Last Mile Distribution” category is a significant achievement for Grameen Danone Foods Limited. Suraiya Siddika, the Sales and Marketing Director of Grameen Danone Foods Limited, received the winner’s award on behalf of Grameen Danone.
The award gala was preceded by the 7th edition of Bangladesh Retail Congress 2024, with this year’s theme, “Retail Renaissance: Inspiring Innovation.” Through a blend of 03 Keynote Sessions, 01 Leader’s Dialogue, 02 Panel Discussions, 01 Insight Session, 01 case study, and 01 Founder’s Talk, the summit encouraged an open dialogue on resilience, innovation, and the transformation of customer journeys in the retail landscape.
Opening the summit, Sohel Tanvir Khan, Business Director, ACI Logistics Limited, remarked, “We find ourselves at a critical juncture in the history of retail. Over the last few years, we have witnessed unprecedented changes in how consumers shop, what they value, and how they engage with brands. In today’s world, retail is no longer just about selling products. It’s about creating memorable experiences, fostering connections, and delivering value in a way that resonates with the evolving expectations of our customers. As we convene here today under the theme, “Retail Renaissance: Inspiring Innovation”, we must embrace the idea that innovation and sustainability are the cornerstones of retail’s future.”
The keynote sessions were led by MHM Fairoz, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Singer Bangladesh Ltd.; Sabbir Hasan Nasir, Managing Director, ACI Logistics Ltd. (SHWAPNO), and Ian F. Wade, BBS, Commandatore, Founding Member, Waterhouse Wade. With the sessions, the speakers explored how retailers can leverage AI, AR/VR, and omnichannel strategies to enhance customer experiences, personalize offerings, and adopt eco-friendly practices.
Apart from them, notable speakers in the congress featured Professor Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor, BRAC University; Chief Advisor, Bangladesh Brand Forum; President, Asia Marketing Federation; Ashraf Bin Taj, General Secretary, Asia Marketing Federation; Co-Founder & Managing Director, IDC Bangladesh PLC.; Ahmad Ferdous Md. Asif, Chief Executive Officer, Bengal Meat Processing Industries Ltd.; Rezaul Kabir, Chief Operating Officer, Sailor; Sami Ashraf, Director, Home & Personal Care, Remark HB Ltd; Shamim Kabir, Managing Director, Step Footwear Limited; Zaraif Hossain, Head of Strategy & Transformation, Transcom Group; Professor Mohammad Abdul Momen, Professor, Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka ;Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman & CEO, PRAN-RFL Group; Surayya Siddiqua, Sales and Marketing Director, Grameen Danone Foods Ltd.; Shahriar Zaman, Head of Marketing, AkijBashir Group; Zakeea Nowrin Husain, Emerging Business Lead, Unilever Bangladesh Ltd.; Abu Obaida Imon, Country Head of Marketing, Domino’s Pizza Bangladesh and others.
The discussions revolved around timely topics like the role of experience-driven retail, the integration of digital and physical retail for a seamless customer journey, the essentiality of omnichannel for retailers, and strategies for resilience in the changing market.
A standout feature of the summit was the case study Miniso: Fostering Brand Affinity through Innovation, presented by Jason Yan, Country Manager, Miniso Bangladesh. His session examined the brand’s journey in creating a memorable and unique shopping experience for Bangladeshi consumers, offering key takeaways for retailers looking to enhance their own customer engagement strategies.
The congress concluded on a high note with Kazi Jamil Islam, Managing Director, Express Leather Products Ltd. (Lotto), conducting a Founders Talk session and expressing the pathways of his journey as a successful founding retailer.
The summit offered hands-on insights into omnichannel retail and customer experience enhancement, addressing challenges in merging digital and physical spaces. Attendees explored emerging retail trends and collaborative opportunities, receiving positive feedback for the actionable strategies discussed to future-proof their businesses and elevate the shopping experience.
SHWAPNO presents Bangladesh Retail Congress & Bangladesh Retail Awards 2024 powered by Singer | beko (Singer Bangladesh Limited); Konka and Gree (Electro Mart Limited) was held in Association with MINISO and IDC Bangladesh PLC and The Daily Star. Knowledge Partner – Marketing Society of Bangladesh; Technology Partner – aamra Technologies Limited; PR Partner – Backpage PR. The Summit is an initiative of Bangladesh Retail Forum and was organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum.