From bold ideas to bustling aisles—these eight retail concepts didn’t just launch, they landed with impact
The Images Retail Awards 2025 turned the spotlight on retail launches that were more than just store openings—they were immersive ideas brought to life, executed with precision, and amplified through powerful consumer connections. From inclusive cafés and global brand showcases to gourmet food experiences and Tier-II revolutions, these eight finalists for ‘IMAGES Most Admired Retail Launch of the Year: New Outlet’ showed how retail reinvention takes shape on the ground.
- WINNER: Mitti Café, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
Where Inclusion Meets Dignity at the Nation’s Heart
Idea: A café run entirely by persons with disabilities, located inside the President of India’s official residence—Mitti Café redefined what inclusion in hospitality looks like.
Execution: Navigated high-security protocols, trained staff in professional hospitality, and designed an accessible, sustainable café model. In-store storytelling and digital advocacy built momentum.
Impact: Received national recognition, inspired replication by PSUs, and positioned Mitti as a policy influencer for inclusive employment.
- ECCO Shoes, Phoenix Palladium, Mumbai
Power Performance Meets Premium Pulse
Idea: A high-fashion, tech-forward footwear destination in India’s most premium mall wing—crafted to boost ECCO’s aspirational image.
Execution: Strategic timing post-UNIQLO launch, star-led influencer campaign, dramatic VM, and a strong digital media push.
Impact: Achieved 5x projected sales, 10x footfall, and repositioned ECCO as India’s most coveted comfort-leather footwear brand.
- Haldiram’s, M3M Atrium 57, Gurugram
Legacy Reimagined for a New Culinary Era
Idea: A next-gen flagship outlet designed as a modern Indian culinary destination that went beyond QSR boundaries.
Execution: A high-style, lunch-hour launch with public participation, floral visual theme, and a radical ‘public document’ campaign approach.
Impact: 2.8x sales versus forecast, 300% surge in footfalls, and 4.7/5 consumer ratings—showcasing how legacy brands can stay fresh and relevant.
- Mad Over Donuts, Multiple Locations
Making Sweet Noise with Buzz & Benefits
Idea: A youth-focused, joy-filled store relaunch model powered by giveaways and Instagram-worthy design.
Execution: Free donuts for a month to first 100 customers, WhatsApp-driven invites, offline buzz, and employee advocacy.
Impact: 12% weekly sales uptick, viral Google reviews, and a high recall store format that balanced value with visual delight.
- National Mart Hypermart, Hanamkonda
Tier-II Gets a Hyperlocal, Hyper-Modern Makeover
Idea: A 40,000 sq. ft. hypermarket blending groceries, fashion (via ‘Stylemart’), live counters, and local flavour to redefine regional retail.
Execution: Three-week turnaround with deep market insights, CX training, and celeb influencer campaigns to build instant hype.
Impact: 40% footfall over projections, 1M+ Instagram views, and strong traction in fashion and demo zones—marking a Tier-II retail breakthrough.
- Nature’s Basket Artisan Pantry, MG Road, Bengaluru
Gourmet Goes Experiential in India’s First Artisan Pantry
Idea: A luxury grocery experience with curated zones—Cheese Room, Vegan Patisserie, Wine Cellar, and more—for India’s evolved food shopper.
Execution: DOOH campaigns, celeb chef walkthroughs, wine & cheese nights for HNIs, and high-aesthetic storytelling.
Impact: 22% revenue over plan, 7,000+ loyalty signups in 30 days, and 28% higher bill values—making it a benchmark for food retail luxury.
- NY Cinemas, Elan Epic Mall, Gurugram
Moviegoing Becomes a Lifestyle Experience
Idea: A 46,000 sq. ft. luxury multiplex reimagining cinema as an indulgent experience with lounges, live stations, and a mocktail bar.
Execution: 6-month agile build, cinematic pre-lobby design, curated F&B by in-house chefs, and influencer-led pre-launch hype.
Impact: 24,052 footfalls, ₹356 ATP, ₹226 F&B spends per head—plus influencer buzz and critical acclaim positioning it as cinema’s new frontier.
- Value Zone Hyper Mart, Hyderabad
Value Retail Reimagined at Scale
Idea: A 1.65 lakh sq. ft. one-floor hypermart modeled after global formats, but tailored to Indian mass and mid-premium sensibilities.
Execution: Built in 180 days with 24×7 agile teams, real-time design iteration, tech-mapped layouts, and Instagrammable experiences.
Impact: 110% of sales targets in 75 days, 25% repeat traffic growth, 22% larger baskets, and 500K+ online impressions—setting a new scale benchmark for experience-first value retail.
From Rashtrapati Bhavan to Hanamkonda, from gourmet grocery aisles to lifestyle cinemas, these eight launches prove one thing: great retail isn’t just about transactions—it’s about transformation. With innovation in concept, excellence in execution, and real results on the ground, these stores aren’t just places to shop—they’re places to remember. FY 2024–25 belonged to those who dared to do more with retail—and these finalists led the charge.
