Now in its 19th edition, the Coca-Cola Golden Spoon Awards recognise outstanding achievements in food and grocery retail, highlighting those who have transformed consumer experiences, driven innovation, expanded markets, and strengthened India’s modern retail landscape. The awards evening brought together the nation’s most influential retailers, food brands, and business visionaries under one roof to celebrate creativity, resilience, and excellence in the industry.

This year’s winners reflected the evolving face of India’s food and grocery ecosystem. Nature’s Basket emerged as one of the top honourees, winning for Supply Chain Transformation and Loyalty Program Excellence. Country Delight was recognised for Customer Relations, while In & Out was celebrated for its ESG Initiative and Marketing That Connects. Star Localmart and Smart Bazaar were honoured for their remarkable market expansion across India’s semi-urban and national footprint. Freshpik and Magson Retail also took home awards for their excellence in store innovation and category performance — a testament to the growing sophistication of India’s modern retail industry.

List of Awardees

IMAGES MOST ADMIRED BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION / TURNAROUND SUCCESS STORY OF THE YEAR

• Nature’s Basket: Supply Chain Transformation
  

IMAGES MOST ADMIRED RETAILER OF THE YEAR: CUSTOMER ACQUISITION, EXPERIENCE & SERVICE

• Country Delight: For Customer Relations
  
• Nature’s Basket: For Loyalty Program
  

IMAGES MOST ADMIRED RETAILER OF THE YEAR: INNOVATION

• In & Out: For ESG Initiative
  

IMAGES MOST ADMIRED RETAILER OF THE YEAR: MARKET EXPANSION

• Star Localmart: For Expansion in Semi-Urban & Rural Areas
  
• Smart Bazaar: For PAN-India Expansion
  

IMAGES MOST ADMIRED RETAILER OF THE YEAR: MARKETING & PROMOTIONS

• In & Out: Marketing That Connects
  

IMAGES EXCELLENCE AWARDS

• Freshpik, Jio World Drive, Mumbai
  
• Nature’s Basket, Alipore, Kolkata
  

IMAGES MOST ADMIRED CATEGORY PERFORMER OF THE YEAR

• Rahul Kapoor, Sr. Manager – Gourmet, Nature’s Basket
  
• Suresh Kolamala, Chief Manager – Fresh Produce, Nature’s Basket
  
• Athar Siddiqui, Category Head – Beverages, Freshpik
  
• Tanya Kapoor, Category Manager – Tea, Smart Bazaar
  
• Nirav Choudhry, Director – Buying & Merchandising, International Food, Magson Retail
  

IMAGES MOST ADMIRED RETAILER OF THE YEAR: LAUNCH

• Freshpik Powai, Mumbai
  

BRAND-RETAILER PARTNERSHIP AWARDS

• Brand Building: Dabur Almond & Smart Point
  
• Market Expansion: Weikfield & Smart Bazaar
  
• Sales Growth: Saffola & Smart Bazaar
  
• Launch: Godrej Fab & MORE Retail
  
• Product Innovation: Shareat & Smart Bazaar

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With increasing consumer demand for plant-based alternatives, Country Delight’s Oats Beverage is set to redefine the segment with its rich taste, premium ingredients and unmatched nutritional benefits. Made from high-quality Australian oats and free from chemical additives, preservatives, and added sugars, this product naturally contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it an ideal choice for lactose-intolerant individuals, fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers. 

Key Features of Country Delight Oats Beverage:

1. A Better Choice for Lactose-Intolerant People 

Oat Beverage is naturally lactose-free, making it an ideal choice for individuals with lactose intolerance. Oat Beverage provides a gentler digestive experience without triggering lactose-related sensitivity.  

 2. No Soy, No Nuts – A Safe Alternative for Allergies

Many plant-based drinks rely on soy or nuts (almond, cashew), which are common allergens. Country Delight’s oat beverage is:  Nut-free Soy-free, produced in a strict allergen-controlled facility with segregation protocols to prevent cross-contamination.  

3. Better Digestion: Easier on the Stomach

Oat beverage is gentler on digestion due to soluble fiber beta-glucan, which aids gut health and promotes smoother digestion. No lactose or casein, which can cause inflammation and digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals. 

4. No Added Sugar, No Preservatives – Pure & Premium

Country Delight’s oat beverage is Unsweetened, with no artificial sweeteners. Free from added preservatives, ensuring it is natural and premium. Made with plant-based ingredients i.e. Oats, chia etc., providing a wholesome, minimally processed beverage.

Chakradhar Gade, CEO & Co-Founder, Country Delight, said, “At Country Delight, we are constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of our consumers. With the launch of Oats Beverage, we aim to provide a nutritious, plant-based alternative without compromising on taste or quality. Our mission has always been to make India live better, and this product is another step towards offering wholesome, nutritious food choices”. 

With certifications from ISO, USFDA (FSVP-FSMA), FSSC, and Organic, Country Delight’s Oats Beverage undergoes 140+ rigorous quality checks daily, ensuring the highest safety and hygiene standards.

The introduction of Oats beverage strengthens its position in the health and wellness segment, catering to modern consumers who prioritize nutrient-dense foods. 

Country Delight’s Oats Beverage is priced at Rs. 40 for a 400ml pack and will be available for order through the Country Delight app.

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To secure the funds, Country Delight’s board has approved a special resolution to issue 70,000 Series F2 debentures at an issue price of INR 1 lakh each and 3,160 Series E1 Compulsorily Convertible Cumulative Partly Paid Preference Shares (CCPS) at an issue price of INR 21,045, as per the company’s filings.

In January, the dairytech firm raised approximately $20 million (INR 164 crore) from investors including Temasek and Venturi Partners, reaching a valuation of $820 million. In February, Orios Venture Partners partially exited from Country Delight, securing a 45X return on its investment.

Additionally, the startup’s operating revenue has surged by 66% year-on-year (YoY) to INR 900 crore in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), up from INR 542.6 crore in FY22. The company reported a revenue of INR 650 crore in the first half of FY24.

Established in 2013 by Chakradhar Gade and Nitin Kaushal, Country Delight operates on a subscription-based model, procuring milk from farmers and delivering it directly to customers’ homes. The company also offers a variety of other products including bread, ghee, various dairy items, as well as fruits and vegetables.

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