Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India
Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India [1] (TRRAIN) is a public charitable trust founded in 2011 by B. S. Nagesh with the vision to empower people in retail. TRRAIN strives to bring about lasting and immediate changes in the lives of retail associates, both at work and at home.
Based on the pillars of pride, respect, inclusion, and development, TRRAIN has managed to shed light on the most important and often overlooked part of the retail industry – its associates.
To drive this, TRRAIN has undertaken various initiatives like Pankh-Wings of Destiny and TRRAINHer Ascent which encourages inclusivity and gender diversity in retail by creating livelihood for Persons with Disabilities and Women respectively. Additionally, TRRAIN aims at building pride and respect in the society with initiatives like TRRAIN Retail Awards and Retail Employees’ Day.
Organisation
Ameesha Prabhu is the chief executive officer of the trust. Vistra ITCL is the sole corporate trustee to the trust.
Projects/Initiatives
Pankh – Wings of Destiny
Pankh – Wings of Destiny is an initiative that was launched by TRRAIN with an aim to provide training and skilling, and livelihood to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through employment opportunities in the retail industry and thus helping them live a life of dignity. Through this program, TRRAIN seeks to build sustainable livelihoods for PwDs by promoting inclusion in the retail industry.
Pankh – Wings of Destiny has opened up a new world of opportunities for more than 15,000 PwDs and is on its way to becoming one of the most impactful inclusion livelihood programs in the nations.
TRRAINHer Ascent
TRRAINHer Ascent began in 2018 with the aim of creating livelihood for women in retail by skilling and providing them with employment opportunities in retail. This is a carefully designed skills training program that primarily focuses on retail skills and life skills. Through this livelihood program, TRRAIN aims to promote a gender diverse workforce in retail.
TRRAIN Retail Awards
TRRAIN Retail Awards is the only retail awards in the country & probably the world that recognizes the front-end retail associates for excellence in customer service. With 10000+ stories received from 116 cities in 9 years, we have set a new benchmark for Customer Service Excellence in Retail. This award has impacted the lives of hundreds of retail associates by creating a platform, where they are recognized for their efforts at providing a better experience for the customer, every single time.
In the past years, TRRAIN has ensured to call a well-renowned individual as the Chief Guest such as Sadhguru,Harsh Mariwala, Kishore Biyani. In the year 2020, Mrs. Smriti Zubin Irani (Honorable Minister of Textiles and Women & Child Development) was the Chief Guest. She and Mr. B S Nagesh (Founder, TRRAIN) had inspiring discussion retail on the event night. Mr. Kunjimoghandas (World of Titan) was the National Winner Gold, followed by Ms. Afia Faruk (Enrich Salons), National Winner Silver & Mr. Bhaskar Dhanaji Kokane (Dominos) National Winner Bronze.
Retail Employees' Day
Celebrated every year on 12 December, Retail Employees' Day (RED), strives to bring the retail employees into focus and thank them for their untiring efforts.
It is an attempt to encourage employers as well as customers to recognize the efforts of retail associates across the country. The day aims at creating awareness and empathy for their jobs and lives and the significant role they play in the lives of the customer. Since its inception in 2011, more than 1000 brands, 100 malls across India have come together to thank their employees on this day. With over 10 million people celebrating it. This initiative by TRRAIN has seen tremendous success. Retail Employees’ Day has been celebrated globally since 2013. As of 2019, Retail Employees’ Day was celebrated globally across 5 countries; Turkey, Philippines, Bangladesh, UAE, and India.
Awards and recognition
- TRRAIN was awarded the prestigious Champion Level GuideStar India Platinum Certification for 2020
- Mr. B S Nagesh received the Helen Keller Award in the category "Role model supporters of increased employment opportunities for People with Disabilities" on 2 December 2018
- Pankh - Wings of Destiny was awarded as the " Best Project " in the Livelihood Category in the 5 th CSR Impact Awards held at Delhi in September
- The International Housewares Association and Global Innovation Award (GIA) honored TRRAIN on 3 March 2013 in Chicago with the award for our vision of empowering people in Indian retail.[2]
- World Education Summit 2012, New Delhi awarded TRRAIN the Best Innovation in Vocational Education & Skills Training.[3]
References
- "Trust for Retailers & Retail Associates of India".
- "2013 gia Retail Global Honorees Announced". Housewares.org. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- "World Education Summit 2012 » The Premier Global Platform for Education » WES 2012 : Award Winners". Wes.eletsonline.com. Retrieved 30 June 2014.