RAI Retail Leadership Summit 2025 drives innovation and industry collaboration
03 March 2025, Mumbai
Retail leaders gather in Mumbai
The Retail Leadership Summit 2025 (RLS 2025), hosted by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), brought together top industry minds on February 27-28 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. As India’s leading retail event, RLS 2025 provided a dynamic platform for thought leadership, innovation, and collaboration.
Key themes and industry insights
This year’s summit focused on customer-centricity, value creation, new-age leadership, sustainability, and future retail trends. The event featured keynote addresses, expert panels, and reports from leading firms like BCG, Deloitte, GPTW, PwC, and Vector. Discussions highlighted the need for innovation, adaptability, and strategic growth.
Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, emphasized, “Retail success lies in staying relevant, agile, and consumer-focused. Technology is redefining retail, but at its core, it remains about understanding and serving consumers better.”
ONDC and digital payments transform retail
T Koshy, CEO of ONDC, shared how India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce is revolutionizing online transactions. “In two years, we have grown from zero to 16 million monthly transactions, and we expect this to double in the next year,” he stated.
Dilip Asbe, CEO of NPCI, highlighted the transformative impact of UPI and digital payments. “Retailers are the backbone of our economy. UPI has democratized payments, making digital transactions accessible to even small vendors,” he noted.
Industry reports unveiled
Several key industry reports were launched at RLS 2025, including:
Winning in Bharat & India (RAI-BCG) – A deep dive into India’s retail market dynamics.
India’s Discretionary Spend Evolution (RAI-Deloitte) – Insights on changing consumer spending patterns.
Retail Reinvention Paradigm (PwC) – Analysis of retail’s transformative shifts.
From Threads to Trends (Vector) – Supply chain optimization in apparel retail.
Best Retail Workplaces 2025 (RAI-GPTW) – Recognizing top workplaces in retail.
Industry leaders on retail trends
Kulin Lalbhai, Vice Chairman of Arvind Fashions, stressed the importance of product differentiation. “Copying competitors leads to price wars. True customer loyalty comes from unique value creation,” he said.
Venkatesh Vijayaraghavan, CEO of TTK Prestige, highlighted the premiumization trend in kitchen appliances. “Demand is resurging, driven by innovation and urban market growth,” he stated.
Sankar Chatterjee, CEO of Decathlon India, emphasized OmniCommerce’s role in retail. “Consumers decide where they want to buy online or offline. The future lies in blending both for seamless experiences,” he explained.
Rajesh Jain, CEO of Lacoste India, noted the rising demand for convenience and sustainability. “Consumers are seeking socially responsible products. This trend is here to stay,” he remarked.
Fashion showcase and industry awards
RLS 2025 introduced the Fashion Showcase at Fashion Arena 2025, presented by Myntra. This platform featured exclusive brand launches, runway shows, and immersive experiences.
The event also recognized excellence through India’s Retail Champions Awards 2025, honoring brands like Levi’s, Lacoste, Nykaa, Reliance Retail, and more across various categories.
Retail’s Future: Innovation and consumer connection
With insights from top retail leaders, RLS 2025 reinforced that the future of retail lies in innovation, adaptability, and seamless consumer experiences. As technology and sustainability reshape the industry, retailers must focus on building stronger connections and immersive experiences for customers.
