Tag: Kumar Rajagopalan

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Bengaluru Retail Summit 2024: Unveiling the Future of Retail

Jul 26, 2024 by Mansi Praharaj 0 Comments #Bengaluru Retail Summit, #Bengaluru Retail Summit 2024, #bigbasket, #Brigade Group, #Britannia Industries Ltd, #Britannia Industries Ltd V Muhammad Ali - CEO, #BRS, #CEO, #CEO & Executive Director, #Co-founder & CEO, #Consulting Business Leader for Retail, #CPG, #Drolls India Pvt Ltd Chandru Kalro, #Easybuy, #Enabling Growth, #Enabling Growth” & “Mastering the Market: Transforming Insights into Growth Opportunities, #Ganesan V P, #Hari Menon, #Healux International Pvt. Ltd Deepak Singh - Director & CEO Saturo Technologies Sumit Jasoria, #i – TEK RFID Hari Menon - Co-founder & CEO - Big Basket Dr Shashank Sinha, #IBM, #Italian Colony David R Stanley – Founder & Managing Director, #Johnson Verghese - Managing Director - Fossil Group India Karan Mehta - CEO, #Jt Managing Director, #Karan Mehta, #Kumar Rajagopalan, #Landmark Group, #Landmark Group Rajneet Kohli - CEO & ED, #Managing Director, #MD & CEO, #NEWME, #Nirupa Shankar, #Pharma & LS Industries – India South Asia, #Prestige Group Manohar Chatlani - MD Retail India Pvt Ltd, #RAI, #Rajneet Kohli, #Retail, #Retail Sector, #Retail Technology: Powering Business, #Retailers Association of India (RAI), #Revolutionize Retail with AI Everywhere, #Sheraton Grand Bangalore, #Soch Apparels Pvt Ltd Subhash Chandra - MD Sangeetha Mobiles Mrunmay Mehta - CEO, #Strategies for Retail Success: Navigating a Constantly Evolving Market”, #Tech Adoption: Integrating Digital Innovations with Physical Presence, #thought leaders, #Transportation, #travel, #TTK Prestige Chintan Mehta – Founder, #WOW Skin Science Ashim Ashok Patel

Bengaluru, July 24th, 2024: The Retailers Association of India (RAI) successfully held the second edition of the Bengaluru Retail Summit, a premier event that brought together the brightest minds and influential leaders from the retail industry. Held at the Sheraton Grand Bangalore, the summit emerged as a melting pot of transformative ideas, emerging trends, and invaluable networking opportunities. Against the vibrant backdrop of Bengaluru’s retail culture, it served as a pivotal platform for retailers and brands to engage in impactful discussions, collectively shaping the future of retail in India.

Speaking about the summit, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “India’s retail sector stands at the cusp of profound transformation. The dynamic discussions on strategies for retail success, the seamless integration of digital innovations, and the latest retail ideas have highlighted how industry leaders are navigating this constantly evolving market. Our focus on mastering the market and innovating is diverse. With a burgeoning middle class, expanding digital infrastructure, and strategic government initiatives, we anticipate a dynamic era of growth and innovation. These advancements position the retail sector as a pivotal driver of economic vitality and consumer empowerment in the years ahead.”

Highlights of the Bengaluru Retail Summit 2024 by RAI was the keynote address on ‘Revolutionize Retail with AI Everywhere’ by Ganesan V P, Consulting Business Leader for Retail, CPG, Travel, Transportation, Pharma & LS Industries – India South Asia, IBM.

The summit also hosted two stimulating Fireside Chats with Rajneet Kohli, CEO & Executive Director, Britannia Industries Ltd, and with Nirupa Shankar, Jt Managing Director, Brigade Group.

Expressing delight at the second edition of BRS, Rajneet Kohli, CEO & Executive Director, Britannia Industries Ltd said, “The future of retail lies in seamlessly blending technology with the human touch. Using data-driven insights to understand consumer preferences and deliver tailored experiences will drive growth and foster deeper customer loyalty.”

Hari Menon, Co-Founder & CEO, Bigbasket said, “The retail industry is at a pivotal point where digital transformation is crucial. Integrating online and offline channels is essential to meet evolving consumer demands. Innovation in logistics and personalized services will be the key drivers of future retail success.”

Karan Mehta, CEO, Easybuy, Landmark Group said, “Understanding and responding to diverse customer needs is more important than ever. By harnessing advanced analytics and staying ahead of emerging trends, retailers can create personalized and engaging shopping experiences, ensuring sustained growth and competitiveness.”

The summit witnessed captivating discussions on topics such as “Strategies for Retail Success: Navigating a Constantly Evolving Market” “Tech Adoption: Integrating Digital Innovations with Physical Presence” “Retail Technology: Powering Business, Enabling Growth” & “Mastering the Market: Transforming Insights into Growth Opportunities.”

industry leaders speaking at the summit included:

Johnson Verghese – Managing Director – Fossil Group India

Karan Mehta – CEO, Landmark Group

Rajneet Kohli – CEO & ED, Britannia Industries Ltd

V Muhammad Ali – CEO, Retail, Prestige Group

Manohar Chatlani – MD Retail India Pvt Ltd, Soch Apparels Pvt Ltd

Subhash Chandra – MD Sangeetha Mobiles

Mrunmay Mehta – CEO, WOW Skin Science

Ashim Ashok Patel, MD & CEO, i – TEK RFID

Hari Menon – Co-founder & CEO – Big Basket

Dr Shashank Sinha, CEO, Drolls India Pvt Ltd

Chandru Kalro, Managing Director, TTK Prestige

Chintan Mehta – Founder, Italian Colony

David R Stanley – Founder & Managing Director, Healux International Pvt. Ltd

Deepak Singh – Director & CEO Saturo Technologies

Sumit Jasoria, Co-Founder & CEO, NEWME

These thought leaders shared their insights on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities within the retail sector, fostering a rich environment of knowledge exchange and collaboration. The event’s successful execution has set a benchmark for industry gatherings, reaffirming Bengaluru’s status as a central hub for retail excellence.

About RAI:

Retailers Association of India (RAI) is the unified voice of Indian retailers. RAI works with all the stakeholders for creating the right environment for the growth of the modern retail industry in India. It is a strong advocate for retailing in India and works with all levels of government and stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast to coast, and enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness.

Business

Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Human Values in the Retail Sector; RAI Presents the First ‘Retail HR Tech Summit’

Feb 7, 2024 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #Apnatime Tech, #Human Values, #Kumar Rajagopalan, #Nirmit Parikh, #R. Swaminathan, #Retail HR Tech Summit, #Retail Sector, #Retailers Association of India, #Technology

Mumbai, February 7, 2024: In an age characterised by swift technological progress and evolving consumer expectations, the retail sector finds itself at the nexus of innovation and human connection. On February 6, 2024, the Retailers Association of India organised the inaugural ‘Retail HR Tech Summit’ in Mumbai. This summit has been meticulously designed to provide a platform for Retail HR Leaders, offering them the prospect to address industry challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

RAI Presents the First ‘Retail HR Tech Summit’ 1

Speaking about the theme of the Retail HR Tech Summit, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India, said, “At the forefront of the Retail HR Tech Summit, our aim is to illuminate how technology can revolutionise HR practices within the retail sector. This inaugural event is not just a conference; it’s a crucial step towards understanding and harnessing technology to enhance recruitment processes, foster employee development, and cultivate a positive organizational culture. We are dedicated to exploring innovative solutions that empower HR professionals to build more efficient, people-centric, and culturally rich environments in their companies. This summit is a pivotal point for industry leaders to collaborate, learn, and shape the future of retail HR through technology.”

The summit’s highlight was the keynote address by R. Swaminathan, Chief People Officer, WNS. During the address, he expressed, “Technology is no longer merely a tool, but an active participant in our workplace, facilitating complex decisions and shaping business outcomes. We are at a juncture where the synergy between technology and human intelligence is crucial for creating sustainable and engaging experiences for our customers and employees. The first Retail HR Tech Summit is a testament to the evolving landscape where HR is harnessing technology’s enormous potential to drive organizational growth and success.”

The day long summit had various panel discussion with HR leaders deliberating on some critical discussion such as ‘The Art and Science of Selecting the Right HR Tech Solutions and Enablement Partners’, ‘Enhancing Retail Performance: Unleashing the power of HR analytics for organization Profitability’, ‘Upskilling and Reskilling in Retail: HR Tech for Continuous Learning’, ‘Nurturing Tech-Savvy HR Leadership: Strategies for Developing HR Executives in the Digital Era,’’ Nurturing Tech-Savvy HR Leadership: Strategies for Developing HR Executives in the Digital Era’, among others.

RAI Presents the First ‘Retail HR Tech Summit’ 2

“The Retail HR Tech Summit is a beacon for innovation in HR technology. As a leading tech solutions provider, Apnatime Tech is proud to contribute to this transformative journey. We believe that the right technology can revolutionize the retail sector, making it more efficient, inclusive, and attuned to the needs of the modern workforce. Our goal is to develop solutions that not only address the immediate challenges but also pave the way for a more dynamic and adaptive retail environment,” said Nirmit Parikh, CEO, Apnatime Tech.

Retail HR leaders speaking at the summit included, Adhir Mane, CHRO – Corporate, Raymond; Harsh Aparanji, Chief HR Officer, Landmark Group, India; Raghvendra D Singh, Vice President – HR Platforms & Systems, Reliance Retail; Anjali Goel, Head HR, V-Mart Retail; Santosh Vuppala, Head – Analytics and Insights, Titan Company; Venkat Iyer, Head- People & Organisation (Retail), Puma Sports India; Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Chauhan, Director – HR, Pepe Jeans India; Parineeta Cecil Lakra, Country People & Culture Manager, IKEA India; Rohith Kumar, CHRO, Westlife Foodworld (McDonalds India – West & South); among others.

The summit commenced with recognition of digital milestones in the retail sector with the first edition of the ‘Retail HR Tech Awards 2024’. Championing the success included VMart, Metro Brands, IKEA India, Reliance Retail, Celio, Shoppers Stop, Spykar, 24Seven and Westlife to name a few.

Business World

Reimagining Talent Transformation for the future of Retail

Mar 12, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #CEO, #Kumar Rajagopalan, #Manish Kapoor, #Pepe Jeans, #Retailers Association of India

The pandemic has reshaped the way Learning & Development, and training are being valued and delivered in organisations. As businesses continue to grapple with the ripple effects of last year, Leadership & Organization Development (L&OD) teams have to work fast and partner with all stakeholders to help achieve new organisational goals and align the workforce as per the new strategies. L&OD as a function has assumed a critical role in the past few months in helping organisations adapt to the changes. Putting the spotlight on this critical change in business dynamics, the Retailers Association of India (RAI) recently concluded the first edition of the Retail Learning & Development Summit 2021 that was held virtually over March 9 & 10, 2021. The Summit was designed around the theme Reimagining Talent Transformation for the future of Retail.

Speaking about the summit, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI) said, “It is in our continuous effort to bring the industry together to bring about collective learning capabilities. Among the many lessons taught by the pandemic is Reimagining Talent Transformation to make the organisation more resilient and be ready for any uncertainty in the future. L&OD professionals will now have to work in areas such as change management, adapting new methods of training and undertaking required interventions to address the changes in organisational competencies and expand the leadership talent pool.”

In a Keynote address, Raj Raghavan, Senior Vice President & Head of HR, IndiGO said that, “It’s necessary to be flexible on the details but firm on the vision. The year 2020 helped us learn the real meaning of what it means to be agile.”

Over the two days, four riveting panel discussions had retail CEOs, CHROs and CLOs deliberating on the many aspects of Learning & Development in the context of the New Normal. As seen during the pandemic, it was learning that helped talent adapt to the drastic changes and survive. Learning will now continue to remain at the heart of talent management as a business strategy.

Speaking on the panel ‘Learning without boundaries: Redefining the role of a CLO’, Rajiv Nair, CEO, Kaya Limited, spoke about building a definite culture, a common set of values and a strong vision to succeed in a difficult environment such as today. “First and foremost requirement for any retail professional is to contribute to the business success. The learning initiatives must be designed to fulfil measurable business objectives,” Rajiv Nair explained.

Speaking on the same panel, Manish Kapoor, CEO, Pepe Jeans, added “Learning structures have always been attuned to deliver incremental results and never exponential results. This is the biggest change that needs to come across. Learning structures now have to evolve to the capability of defining the capability and skill gap of tomorrow.”

Speaking about the duties of a CLO, Sadashiv Nayak, CEO, Big Bazaar, said, “How does the CLO maintain the Curiosity in the organisation, which is Adhbudh Rassa, and bring the ‘wholesomeness’ together in customer experience?”

On the same panel, Himanshu Chakrawarti, CEO – Unlimited, Arvind Lifestyle Brands Limited, added, “With the markets opening up, attrition will happen. It is our duty to slow it down and increase business efficiency by making sure employees are happy.”

The recent experiences have taught organisations the value of financial prudence and the need to ensure return on investments (ROI) on every rupee invested. The second panel on the first day had panellists talking about the ‘Virtual benefits: Measuring the impact and ROI of virtual learning’, is it helping meet the organisational goals?

On translating learning into value out of the learning function Eva Lorge, Country Talent Development Head, IKEA India, said that at the time of recruitment, it is important to understand the passion and what does the talent wants to do within the company. Mukta Nakra, HR Head, Marks & Spencer – Reliance India Pvt. Ltd. added that value from the learning function can be derived out of how we drive organisations culture and integrated it in the way people build their careers within your organisation. Kriti Jain, Associate Director – Human Capital, Myntra, added that it is important to have a buy in from the business stakeholders to drive in the real change.

Today, 78% of HR leaders view employee wellbeing as a critical component of their business strategy. Though 97% agree that “wellbeing positively influences engagement, only a quarter of companies treat wellbeing as a priority. Deliberating on  ‘Role of L&D in ensuring holistic employee wellbeing, Diya Suri, Director – People Resources, Hardcastle Restaurants, said that the organisation has to believe that a person can make a difference and add value, no person comes to work with the intent of doing a bad job. Aniruddha Mahajan, Customer Care Associate & AVP – HR, Shoppers Stop, added that when the employee comes to work it brings along many aspects of wellbeing from emotional to its social and financial wellbeing aspects, and all these have to be taken care of to make a holistic transformation.

In today’s VUCA world organisations need to be more adaptive and agile so they are able to better manage crises. Discussing ‘Fostering a Learning Culture for Performance, Creativity and Resilience’, Bidisha Banerjee, Group VP Learning, Culture & Employer Branding, Welspun Group, said that what worked for Welspun is to keep learning ‘Relevant’, impart it ‘Digitally’ but keeping it ‘Democratic’. While, Alex Mathew, Head – Human Resources, Max & Easybuy, said that they have kept the momentum of informal learning going, by being able to give feedback in real time.

Speakers over the two days included, BS Nagesh, Founder TRRAIN; Bijou Kurien, Chairman Retailers Association of India (RAI); Rajiv Nair, CEO, Kaya Limited; Sadashiv Nayak, CEO, Big Bazaar; Manish Kapoor, CEO, Pepe Jeans; Aasheesh Mediratta, President, SSIPL Retail Ltd; Himanshu Chakrawarti, CEO – Unlimited, Arvind Lifestyle Brands Limited; Mukta Nakra, HR Head, Marks & Spencer – Reliance India Pvt. Ltd.; Neelam Ahluwalia, Vice President – L&D, Bigbasket; Nandini Mehta, Head HR Lifestyle & Home Centre, Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd.; Eva Lorge, Country Talent Development Head, IKEA India; Kriti Jain, Associate Director – Human Capital, Myntra; Diya Suri, Director – People Resources, Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt.; Tanuja Tewari, Vice President – HR, Bigbasket; R. Rajnarayan, Executive Vice President & CHRO, Titan Company Limited; Aniruddha Mahajan, Customer Care Associate & AVP – HR, Shoppers Stop; Bidisha Banerjee, Group VP Learning, Culture & Employer Branding, Welspun Group; Alex Mathew, Head – Human Resources, Max & Easybuy; Manavi Pathak, Head – Talent and Learning, Trent Ltd. (Tata Retail); Jeeva Balakrishnan, Vice President – HR, Reliance Retail Ltd.; Saurabh Deshpande, Customer Care Associate & AVP – L & D, Shoppers Stop Ltd.; among many others.

Other highlights of the Summit included:

Masterclasses by veteran experts: ‘Bouncing Back From Rejection’ by Ambi Parameswaran, Founder, Brand-Building.com and ‘Leader as a Coach’ by Ruchira Chaudhary, Founder, TrueNorth Consulting.

Fireside chat between Kuljit Chadha, Co-founder and COO, Disprz & Gulshan Bhaktiani, Director, Wellness Forever on How you can amplify productivity in Retail with learning Technology.

The summit concluded with recognising retail organisations that demonstrated  enterprise wide success as a result of employee talent development through L&OD interventions. The award for ‘Best Learning & Development Strategy’ was given to Tanishq, Titan Company Ltd. While, Reliance Digital was recognised as the First Runner-up, and Hennes & Mauritz Retail Pvt. Ltd. as the Second Runner Up in the award category.

Recognising the young dynamic talent in the L&D functions within retail companies who have made a huge impact to L&D functions in their respective organizations, The ‘Learning Champ’ award was given to Anagha Karvir of Bigbasket as the Winner. While, Aditi Biswas, Kaya Ltd. was recognised as the First Runner-up and Mayuresh Nanavare, of Reliance Digital as the Second Runner Up in the award category.

Link to day 1 of the summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVVhP-KEvkM

Link to day 2 of the summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfs4JcY060Y