RAI’s Retail India Summit & Expo 2025: Shaping the Future of Indian Retail
The Retailers Association of India (RAI) hosted the Retail India Summit & Expo (RISE) 2025 in New Delhi, focusing on retail strategy, digital transformation, and the expanding role of banks and NBFCs in retail growth.
Retail StrategyDigital TransformationRetail Real EstateSaas SolutionsRetail PaymentsReal EstateNov 12, 2025
The Expo featured a comprehensive showcase of innovations in digital tools, in-store solutions, and retail real estate, emphasizing the enhancement of customer experiences and the optimization of retail environments. Through advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, modern retail fittings, and merchandising solutions, RISE 2025 demonstrated the sector’s ongoing evolution to meet the preferences of today’s technologically and experience-driven consumers.
Speaking about RISE 2025, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “Retail in North India has grown at a steady pace. Consumers have remained resilient and are spending with care. Across the region, technology is moving from trial to daily use — digital payments are now routine, inventory systems are getting smarter, and SaaS tools are streamlining store operations. Growth is expanding beyond metros, with cities such as Lucknow, Jaipur, Ludhiana, and Dehradun emerging as active retail markets. The next phase will be defined by how well retailers, service providers, fintechs, and logistics partners work together. Platforms like RISE play an important role in bringing these networks together to turn ideas into progress.”
Rajesh Jain, Chairman – RAI Delhi Chapter & MD, Lacoste India, said, “North India has always been a bellwether for Indian retail sentiment. The past year has shown that premium and bridge-to-luxury customers are becoming more value-conscious without compromising on experience. Retailers who’ve invested in design, service, and consistency are seeing the strongest loyalty. The real transformation is in how technology is invisible but indispensable: it helps us personalise at scale while keeping the essence of physical retail intact.”
Lalit Agarwal, MD, V-Mart Retail Ltd, commented, “The real story this year is the democratisation of aspiration. Tier 2 and 3 markets in North India are buying differently – not just more, but smarter. Retailers must rewire their operating models to serve this ‘mass premium’ customer who wants affordability without compromise. The next phase of growth will come from operational efficiency, inventory intelligence, and hyperlocal understanding, not just store expansion.”
Anupam Bansal, Director, Liberty Shoes Ltd., expressed, “Footwear retail is a mirror to the broader economy; it tells you how confident consumers feel. Over the past year, we’ve seen a shift toward functional fashion: comfort, sustainability, and durability are shaping purchase decisions. The modern Indian shopper is pragmatic; they want quality that lasts and brands that stand for something real. This is pushing retailers to move from transactional selling to relationship-based retailing.”
Speakers at RISE 2025 engaged in insightful discussions on key themes shaping the future of the retail sector. Customer-First Growth in a Tougher Market: Finding Relevance Without Losing Resilience explored how leading retail CEOs are driving growth when every rupee and relationship counts, balancing price, purpose, and people while staying profitable. The Smart Store Playbook: Tech That Removes Friction and Adds Delight highlighted how innovations such as RFID, connected POS dashboards, and advanced store operations are creating seamless, efficient, and delightful shopping experiences. In Payments, Platforms & Possibilities: How Seamless Commerce Is Powering the Next Retail Wave, panelists examined how integrated payment systems and evolving commerce platforms are transforming customer experience, loyalty, and scalability. Marketing That Moves People: Redefining Retail Storytelling in a Connected World delved into how creativity, data, and technology—through tools like CRM, AI-powered personalization, and loyalty ecosystems—are enabling brands to build meaningful conversations with consumers.
Retail leaders speaking at the summit included Aakash Koparkar, Vice President at Relaxo Footwear; Ankur Bhatia, CEO of Chogori India Retail Ltd.; Anupam Bansal, Director at Liberty Shoes Ltd.; Ashim Ashok Patil, MD and CEO of i-TEK RFID; Bharat Sethi, Founder and CEO of Rage Coffee; Devang Sampat, MD of Cinépolis India; Dhruv Bogra, Country Manager at Forever New Clothing; JP Shukla, CEO of 1-India Family Mart; Lalit Agarwal, MD of V-Mart Retail Ltd.; Mayank Mohan, Partner and CEO of Mohanlal Sons; Raghav Agarwal, Director of V-Bazaar Retail; Rajesh Jain, Managing Director and CEO of Lacoste India; among others.
As India’s retail landscape evolves, RISE 2025 reinforced the industry’s unwavering commitment to innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategies, ensuring its ability to thrive in an ever-changing, dynamic market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of RISE 2025?
RISE 2025 focuses on retail strategy, digital transformation, and the expanding role of banks and NBFCs in retail growth, emphasizing the impact of technology on consumer experiences and business operations.
Who are some of the key speakers at RISE 2025?
Key speakers at RISE 2025 include Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI; Rajesh Jain, MD of Lacoste India; Lalit Agarwal, MD of V-Mart Retail Ltd.; and Anupam Bansal, Director of Liberty Shoes Ltd.
What innovative technologies were showcased at RISE 2025?
RISE 2025 showcased innovations in digital tools, in-store solutions, retail real estate, and technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, RFID, and advanced store operations.
How is technology transforming the retail sector in North India?
Technology in North India is moving from trial to daily use, with digital payments becoming routine, smarter inventory systems, and SaaS tools streamlining store operations.
What are the future trends in retail discussed at RISE 2025?
Future trends discussed include customer-first growth, smart store technology, seamless commerce, and redefining retail storytelling through creativity, data, and technology.
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