Advertisement
The Retailers Association of India (RAI) recently convened the Retail India Summit & Expo (RISE) 2025 in New Delhi, uniting industry leaders, innovators, and service providers to discuss the future of Indian retail. The summit centred around digital transformation, retail strategy, and customer experience enhancement. Key discussions included retail real estate, fintech integration, SaaS solutions, and emerging retail trends across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The event also showcased advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and in-store technologies redefining retail operations and consumer engagement.
The Retailers Association of India (RAI) hosted its Retail India Summit & Expo (RISE) 2025 in New Delhi earlier this week, drawing together prominent retail executives, technology providers, and innovators to discuss the next phase of growth for India's retail sector. The event focused on core themes including retail strategy, digital transformation, and digital payments, emphasising how technology continues to redefine both consumer experiences and retail operations. Advertisement
Sessions during the summit explored vital subjects such as retail real estate, SaaS-driven operational efficiencies, and the expanding involvement of banks and NBFCs in supporting retail development. Delegates also discussed the future of logistics, D2C business models, and modern in-store solutions, highlighting how innovation is improving supply chain agility and customer satisfaction.
The exhibition segment featured a wide range of innovations in retail technologies, spanning artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and merchandising solutions. The display underlined how digital tools are reshaping the customer journey while optimising store environments to meet evolving consumer preferences.
Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, remarked that retail in North India had continued to expand steadily, with consumers remaining cautious yet consistent in their spending. He observed that technology had moved beyond experimentation into everyday use, with digital payments becoming routine and SaaS tools streamlining store operations. He further noted that retail growth was spreading beyond metropolitan areas into emerging markets such as Lucknow, Jaipur, Ludhiana, and Dehradun, adding that collaboration between retailers, fintech firms, and logistics providers would define the next growth phase.
Rajesh Jain, Chairman of RAI's Delhi Chapter and Managing Director of Lacoste India, stated that North India continued to reflect the wider sentiment of Indian retail. He mentioned that premium and bridge-to-luxury consumers had become more value-conscious while maintaining high expectations for experience and design. He further commented that technology, though now seamlessly integrated, was playing a crucial role in enabling retailers to personalise at scale while retaining the human essence of physical retail.
Lalit Agarwal, Managing Director of V-Mart Retail Ltd., shared that retail growth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities was now being fuelled by what he termed the 'democratisation of aspiration,' where consumers sought affordability combined with quality. He stressed the need for retailers to reimagine operating models to serve this 'mass premium' customer base through operational efficiency, inventory intelligence, and hyperlocal strategies rather than just store expansion.
Anupam Bansal, Director of Liberty Shoes Ltd., commented that footwear retail mirrored broader economic sentiment. He observed a clear shift among consumers towards functional fashion, where comfort, sustainability, and durability influenced purchase choices. He added that shoppers today preferred authenticity and value, prompting brands to evolve from transactional to relationship-driven retailing.
Panel discussions throughout RISE 2025 included 'Customer-First Growth in a Tougher Market,' which examined how leading CEOs were balancing profitability with purpose, and 'The Smart Store Playbook,' which explored the use of RFID and connected POS systems to enhance efficiency and customer delight. Another session, 'Payments, Platforms & Possibilities,' analysed the impact of integrated payment systems on loyalty and scalability, while 'Marketing That Moves People' focused on how creativity, data, and AI-driven personalisation were shaping brand storytelling and consumer engagement.
Among the speakers were senior representatives from prominent retail brands, including Relaxo Footwear, Chogori India Retail, Liberty Shoes, i-TEK RFID, Rage Coffee, Cinepolis India, Forever New, 1-India Family Mart, V-Mart Retail, Mohanlal Sons, V-Bazaar Retail, and Lacoste India.
The summit reinforced RAI's continued role as a unifying platform for retailers seeking strategic collaboration, innovation, and growth in a fast-changing retail environment.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
