|| Business Desk: A total of 64 accolades were presented in 26 categories at the 3rd edition of SHWAPNO presents Bangladesh Retail Awards powered by Singer and Bata, in association with KONKA&GREE (Electro Mart Limited), at a grand gala ceremony held at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka on April 18, 2026 (Saturday). 40 initiatives rose to secure the Winner accolade, with a further 24 earning Honorable Mentions. The 3rd edition of the accolade was initiated by Bangladesh Retail Forum in collaboration with Bangladesh Brand Forum.A total of 347 nominations from 53 organizations were submitted for the accolade. Among the 26 categories, the Best Retailer category stood out with awardees in 14 distinct sub-categories, including Jewelry, Café, Restaurants, Fashion & Apparels, Footwear, Mobile Handset, Food Court, Banks, Automotive, Furniture, Lifestyle, Cosmetics and Skin Care, Electronics, and Sweet & Savory. However, no awards were presented in three categories: Innovation in Last Mile Distribution, Inspiring Retailer of the Year, and Experiential Retailer of the Year, due to the nominations not meeting the required standards of excellenceOpening the gala, Sajid Mahbub, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Editor, Bangladesh Brand Forum; Vice President, Chapter Development- Asia Pacific and Global Director of the International Advertising Association; Chief Digital Officer, Asia Marketing Federation (AMF), remarked, “Retail today stands at a pivotal intersection of technology, consumer expectation, and purpose. The initiatives recognized through these awards demonstrate how businesses are not only adapting to change but actively shaping the future of retail through innovation, resilience, and a strong commitment to delivering value.”The Bangladesh Retail Awards 2026 witnessed remarkable participation from a diverse range of industries, further establishing its stature as the country’s leading platform for recognizing excellence in retail. With a distinguished gathering of industry leaders and practitioners, the ceremony celebrated pioneering initiatives and transformative practices that are redefining customer experience, operational excellence, and the future direction of retail in Bangladesh.The award gala was preceded by the 8th edition of Bangladesh Retail Congress 2026, held earlier in the day under the theme Transforming Retail Through Knowledge.The congress featured 3 Keynote Sessions, 3 Panel Discussions, and 2 Insight Sessions, bringing together retail leaders, brand custodians, and industry experts to examine the evolving dynamics of Bangladesh’s retail sector. The keynote sessions were delivered by Ashraf Bin Taj, Managing Director, International Distributions Company Bangladesh PLC.; Board Director, ACI PLC.; Advisor, Asia Marketing Federation (AMF); Board Member, Marketing Society of Bangladesh (MSB). Shadman Sadikin, Customer Business Development (CBD), Head, Unilever Bangladesh Ltd; and Sami Ashraf, Chief Executive Officer, Omni StrateG.Discussions spanned critical areas including the future trajectory of retail, the balance between purpose, profit, and people, the transformation of the apparel value chain, and the growing role of data, personalization, and technology in shaping modern retail experiences.The congress concluded with a strong emphasis on knowledge as a central driver of transformation, highlighting the need for more informed, agile, and collaborative approaches to building resilient retail ecosystems. Together, the congress and awards reflected a unified vision for advancing Bangladesh’s retail landscape through insight, innovation, and excellence.SHWAPNO presents Bangladesh Retail Congress & Bangladesh Retail Awards 2026, powered by Singer and Bata, in association with KONKA&GREE (Electro Mart Limited), is an initiative of Bangladesh Retail Forum, in collaboration with Bangladesh Brand Forum. Strategic partner – Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); Knowledge Partner – Marketing Society of Bangladesh (MSB); Official Carrier Partner – Turkish Airlines; Hospitality Partner – Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel; PR Partner – Backpage PR.